Former Leader of Israel's Shas Party Sentenced to Three Years

Published July 12th, 2000 - 02:00 GMT
Al Bawaba
Al Bawaba

The Israeli Supreme Court Wednesday sentenced the influential former leader of the ultra-Orthodox Shas party and former interior minister Arieh Deri to three years imprisonment for fraud, corruption and abuse of confidence. 

Deri was initially sentenced to four years by a district court in April 1999. 

The three judges set August 13th as the date for Deri to start serving his sentence. 

"I accept this verdict with joy and love," Deri told journalists. 

"It comes from heaven. It is a test sent by the Creator. I shall go to prison although the judges have made a mistake," said Deri, who is a rabbi - OCCUPIED JERUSALEM (AFP) 

© 2000 Al Bawaba (www.albawaba.com)

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