State paying NIS 12,000 a month to key witness in Holyland case
Prosecution reveals financial arrangement, saying Jerusalem corruption affair 'is a special case'
The key state witness in the Holyland case receives NIS 12,000 per month (some $3,000), payable for up to eight years, the state revealed in court on Tuesday.
In an unusual move, the prosecution agreed to reveal the monthly stipend set aside for the state witness in the Holyland affair, following requests by a number of organizations. The prosecution told the court that because the trial was “a sensitive case,” it was willing to make an exception and make public the precise sum the witness is being paid.
The Holyland case, involving building permits allegedly issued to real estate tycoons in exchange for bribes, is considered one of the largest corruption scandals in Israel’s history. It involves some 15 suspects, including former prime minister Ehud Olmert and former Jerusalem mayor Uri Lupolianski.
The state witness, whose identity is protected by a gag order, has testified to being connected to the bribery chain.
The fact that the state is making payments to the witness has been widely criticized, as potentially skewing his motivations for testifying and the accuracy of his testimony.