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Israeli chairman of parliament's influential Defense and Foreign Affairs Committee, Tzahi Hanegbi, was indicted on Monday. (AP file)
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| By Associated Press September 25, 2006 |
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A senior ally of Prime Minister Ehud Olmert was charged Monday with fraud, bribery and perjury in connection with appointments he made as a minister.
The indictment against Tzahi Hanegbi, the chairman of parliament's influential Defense and Foreign Affairs Committee, was the latest setback for Olmert, who has several confidants facing legal battles.
Hanegbi is accused of appointing political allies to government jobs when serving as environment minister from 2001 to 2003.
Hanegbi denied the charges and said he would not give in to demands by some lawmakers that he step down from the chairmanship position for the duration of his trial.
"There is no stain, certainly not criminal, on my conduct as environment minister, conduct that was no different from that of dozens of ministers acting dozens of years before me," Hanegbi told Army Radio.
Hanegbi served as a Cabinet minister in several governments, including justice, public security, health and environment. He had been a leading candidate for a high-ranking position in Olmert's current government before the prospect of criminal charges arose.
In an earlier brush with the law, Hanegbi was convicted after a violent confrontation at a political rally while a university student.
He is only one of several leading Israeli politicians facing legal troubles. The state comptroller's office, a government watchdog, is investigating Olmert's purchase of a home in Jerusalem, allegedly for far below its market value.
Another Olmert ally, Haim Ramon, was forced to step down as justice minister last month and is now standing trial after a soldier accused him of forcibly kissing her.
And eight women have accused President Moshe Katsav of sexual and other improprieties. No decision has yet been made on whether Katsav will stand trial.
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