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President Shimon Peres, photo: flash90
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| July 23, 2007 |
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President Shimon Peres on Monday commuted the sentence of former Likud MK Naomi Blumenthal, who was convicted last year of bribery and the obstruction of justice. Blumenthal was found guilty of bribing 15 Likud activists and hosting them and their spouses at a hotel before the December 2002 Likud Party primaries, in an attempt to sway their votes. According to the Jerusalem Post, the former MK later instructed two people who helped her organize the hotel stays to give a false testimony if questioned by police.
In response to earlier appeals by Blumenthal, the judges wrote that her "actions were severe and do not justify court intervention. She denied her actions throughout the trial and tainted her faithful driver. Her punishment cannot be reduced."
Her original sentence was eight months in jail, ten months probation and a NIS 70,000 fine. Peres reduced it to six months of probation and two months of community service. Justice Minister Daniel Friedmann approved Peres' move for clemency, as required by the law.
Public figures such as former minister Yossi Sarid and former president Yitzhak Navon began a public campaign for Blumenthal's pardon, following a petition issued by her children two months ago, Ynet reported.
Former MK Sarah Doron, a friend of Blumenthal's, said in response that she was "very very happy, and [I am] preparing to write today or tomorrow to the president and the justice minister and congratulate them on a smart and merciful decision."
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