Sat, Feb 07, 2004 - Page 7 News List

Palestinians in turf war as Sharon probe proceeds

TROUBLE The Palestinian police chief says he was the target of a rival security group's assassination try

AP , JERUSALEM

Sharon has denied that, and Israel TV reported that Sharon also again denied any wrongdoing during more than two hours of police questioning.

"The prime minister cooperated fully," police spokesman Gil Kleiman said, adding that no further questioning of Sharon was planned. Sharon was also interrogated about the matter in October.

Last week a close associate of Sharon, real estate developer David Appel, was indicted for bribing Sharon. The charge sheet said he gave Sharon's son, Gilad, US$690,000 and pledged a further US$3 million to the family farm in exchange for Sharon's help in a business deal that eventually fell through.

Appel told Channel Two TV that the whole story was a "blood libel," and Sharon was not guilty of any wrongdoing.

Under Israeli law, a person can be convicted of accepting a bribe only if criminal intent is proven. However, if indicted, Sharon would probably have to step down.

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