An Israeli court spared former prime minister Ehud Olmert a prison term over a conviction for breach of trust on Monday, potentially paving his way to a political comeback.
Dogged by corruption scandals as he tried to forge a peace deal with the Palestinians, Olmert (66) resigned in 2008.
Although found guilty in July of cronyism while in a former cabinet post, he was acquitted of more serious bribery charges.
Jerusalem District Court handed Olmert a suspended one-year jail sentence and a 75,300-shekel (€14,900) fine. Had he been put behind bars, the centrist politician might have been prevented from returning to public office. – (Reuters)