The accused was a close ally of beleaguered PM Ehud Olmert

Former Israeli Finance Minister Avraham Hirchson has been charged with embezzlement in Tel Aviv.

The allegations - which Mr Hirchson denies - relate to his period as head of a trade union organisation, the National Workers' Federation.

Mr Hirchson resigned from office a year ago to fight the accusations.

He was a leading figure in the Kadima party of Prime Minister Ehud Olmert, who is also under criminal investigation for alleged corruption.

Mr Hirchson is charged with stealing about $765,000 (£380,000) from his union, which he is suspected of using to fund an election campaign and foreign holidays.

Mr Olmert has not been charged with any offence over his dealings with US fundraiser Morris Talanski - and he firmly denies any wrongdoing.

Mr Talanski said he had given large sums of cash in envelopes to the future prime minister during his trips to the US in the 1990s and early 2000s.





