ISRAEL`S high court today rejected an appeal by Ehud Olmert`s lawyers to block a US businessman from giving key testimony in the latest corruption probe against the prime minister.
The high court upheld a decision by the Jerusalem District Court to allow the preliminary sworn testimony from Morris Talansky, who raised funds for Mr Olmert in the United States in the 13 years before he became prime minster in 2006.
During the appeal hearing on Monday, Israel`s State Prosecutor Moshe Lador said Mr Olmert was suspected of personally accepting envelopes stuffed with cash from Mr Talansky when he was trade and industry minister.
Anti-fraud police are seeking to establish whether Mr Olmert had given any favours in exchange for the alleged illegal funds he received from Mr Talansky.
Mr Olmert has said he received money from Mr Talansky to help finance his election campaigns in 1999 and 2003 but has denied any wrongdoing. He also said that he would step down if he is charged.
Mr Olmert`s lawyers had argued that any preliminary sworn testimony by Mr Talansky would infringe their client`s rights as police are still conducting their investigation.
But the high court`s ruling now paves the way for the prosecution to order Mr Talansky to give a deposition - witness testimony given under oath before a judge - in Jerusalem next week.
The prosecution has said that Mr Talansky`s testimony could provide major evidence for any indictment.
Police have said Mr Olmert will be questioned on Friday for a second time since the start of the investigation, the fourth probe police are currently conducting into the premier`s affairs.
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