Israeli Prime Minister Ariel Sharon's son Omri Sharon was indicted Thursday in connection with illegal financing of his father's 1999 campaign to lead the rulingLikud party. (Photo: Xinhua/AFP)

    JERUSALEM, Feb. 17 (Xinhuanet) -- Israeli Prime Minister Ariel Sharon's son Omri Sharon was indicted Thursday in connection with illegal financing of his father's 1999 campaign to lead the rulingLikud party.

    Attorney General Menahem Mazuz announced the indictment charging Sharon junior for allegedly setting up a straw company tofunnel cash into his father's primary campaign.

    The indictment against Omri will be submitted pending a judicial hearing, after the Knesset (Parliament) lifts his immunity as a member of the Knesset.

    Omri refused to comment on the case, saying "I have something to say on the matter, but in light of the fact that a hearing willbe held, the correct order is that I say these things first to theattorney general, and that's what I will do."

    Sources in the Justice Ministry said earlier they believed Omriwould be indicted for relatively minor infractions of the law.

    Citing insufficient evidence, Mazuz said he would close the case against prime minister's political adviser Dov Weisglass, whois also suspected of involvement in the case.

    Last year, Mazuz decided not to indict Ariel Sharon on charges of taking bribes from an Israeli businessman, overturning a recommendation from the state prosecutor's office.

    Both the police and the Tel Aviv District Attorney's Office, which investigated the affair, recommended indicting Omri Sharon but no one else. Enditem