Olmert a suspect in bribery case

Former Israeli Prime Minister Ehud Olmert is suspected of taking bribes in a growing Jerusalem corruption case, police said today.

The 63-year-old Olmert returned to Israel from Europe today amid reports of his involvement in the case then police confirmed he was a suspect, after a court-issued gag order was eased.

Olmert has denied any connection.

Last week, a long-time Olmert associate and five others were arrested in the affair.

Police suspect huge sums of money changed hands to promote several land projects, including a large development in Jerusalem that required a radical change in zoning laws.

Olmert was mayor of Jerusalem at the time.

He is currently standing trial on separate corruption charges that drove him from office last year.