The Jerusalem District Court on Tuesday cleared former Israeli Prime Minister Ehud Olmert of fraud and corruption charges but found him guilty of breach of trust.
Olmert said he respects the court for acquitting him of the central corruption charges, stressing that he was only found guilty of "procedural improprieties" and that he would absorb the lessons of the verdict.
"There are judges in Jerusalem," Olmert said, quoting former Prime Minister Menachem Begin.
Olmert’s defense attorneys said that they would not appeal the verdict if the prosecution does not.
Jerusalem District Attorney Eli Abarbanel admitted his office was surprised by the verdict.
"We didn’t except this ruling… but we can't make light of the fact that he was convicted of a very serious offence. The court criticized Olmert and found him at fault for gross conflict of interest,” he was quoted by Ynetnews as saying.
Olmert resigned September 2008 amid multiple corruption allegations. The former prime minister has been the first top-level Israeli official to stand trial for such serious offenses, which were allegedly committed while in office.
Among other things, Olmert was accused of receiving cash payments from U.S. businessman Morris Talansky, using budget funds to pay for private trips, and lobbying interests for his business partner and friend Uri Messer.
Olmert was also charged with failing to disclose donations from US businessman Joe Almaliah to the state comptroller.
