An Israeli Knesset (parliament)
member has been sentenced to
18 month in prison over several
charges including accepting bribes.
Shlomo Benizri an ultra-Orthodox
member of Israel's parliament was
earlier this month found guilty of of
accepting bribes, breach of trust and obstructing justice while he
was the country's Labor Minister in 2002.
An Israeli court sentenced him to an 18-month jail term and an
80,000 shekel (23,000 dollar) fine on Sunday.
"Benizri committed a series of severe offences which are
underscored by his position and status. He is a minister and
a leader in Israel who has committed a sin," the judge said
in his sentence.
Under Israeli law, an MP who is found guilty of severe
offences is automatically suspended from parliament.
Benizri, who is also a rabbi, told Israel Radio after Sunday's
conviction that he is the victim of a ``witch hunt'' and
proclaimed his innocence.
One of 11 members of the Shas parliamentary bloc, a crucial
component of prime minister Ehud Olmert's ruling coalition,
Benizri is considered close to the party's spiritual leader,
Rabbi Ovadia Yossef.
The ultra-religious Shas party has been dogged by a
series of corruption scandals over the years.
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