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AM - Ariel Sharon questioned by police over bribery allegations]

AM - Friday, 6 February , 2004 08:21:34
Reporter: Mark Willacy
TONY EASTLEY: In what's developing into the most serious crisis of his long career, Israeli Prime Minister Ariel Sharon has been interviewed by police about allegations of bribery.

During two-and-a-half hours of questioning, Mr Sharon was asked about conversations, taped by police, between himself and an Israeli businessman. Investigators want details about Mr Sharon's relationship with the businessman, who's been charged with trying to bribe the Prime Minister.

Middle East Correspondent Mark Willacy reports from Jerusalem.

MARK WILLACY: It was just before 11am when three detectives from the International Investigations Unit knocked on the door of Ariel Sharon's official residence in Jerusalem. For two-and-a-half hours they questioned the Prime Minister, under caution, about the so-called "Greek Island affair".

Last month police charged Israeli businessman, David Appel, with trying to bribe Ariel Sharon. Prosecutors allege that Mr Appel hired Mr Sharon' son Gilad and paid him large sums of money to persuade his father to promote property deals in Greece and Israel. Investigators want to know if Ariel Sharon accepted money from Mr Appel in return for political favours.

Moshe Negbi is a leading is a leading Israeli legal analyst.

MOSHE NEGBI: What would be the centre of this interrogation is the criminal intent, whether it existed or not. Should he have known that he is getting, or his son is getting these large amounts of money not just as a gift but in order to get some favours? And of course, if this is the situation, then he is liable to be indicted himself for bribe.

MARK WILLACY: During the two-and-a-half hours of questioning, police reportedly played the Prime Minister a taped conversation between himself and businessman David Appel. In it, Mr Appel tells Mr Sharon about the large amounts of money his son Gilad can expect to make from their business relationship.

Legal analyst Moshe Negbi believes the Greek Island affair has the potential to finish Ariel Sharon's long and controversial career.

MOSHE NEGBI: The result of a decision by the Attorney-General to indict Mr Sharon would be that Mr Sharon would have to step down and there would be a new government in Israel.

MARK WILLACY: A decision on whether to indict the Israeli Prime Minister on charges of bribery is expected to be made before the Passover holiday in early April, and more investigators will soon be knocking on Ariel Sharon's front door. The Israeli leader is facing further questioning about a loan he received from a South African businessman, to pay back illegal political contributions.
© 2003 Australian Broadcasting Corporation