Messer in court
Photo: Avi Mualem
Holyland case: Messer's appeal on remand denied, again
Court orders attorney linked to Jerusalem real estate scandal remain in police custody despite defense's claims that authorities' request stems from the absence of other suspects
The Petah Tikva District Court ruled Monday that Attorney Uri Messer will remain in police custody.
Messer, a confidant of former Prime Minister Ehud Olmert, was arrested last week by the National Fraud Unit in connection to the Holyland real estate scandal, which has already been dubbed one of the worst corruption cases in Israel's history.
Related stories:
- Police: Holyland affair only tip of iceberg
Messer's remand was extended twice since his arrest. Both his appeals on the matter have been denied.
Messer's attorney, Shimon Dolan, claimed that the court was setting a dangerous precedent by remanding a man who has yet to even be deposed.
Police Superintendent Tzahi Havkin, on the other hand, argued that "new developments in the case" warranted Messer's remand.
Dolan then argued that the fact that "certain persons of interest are currently abroad cannot be used as grounds for remand. If those people do not return soon, will he still have to stay in police custody?"
Dolan was referring to a senior official linked to the real estate scandal, whose identity is under a gag order.
