Special report: Palestine-Israel Relations

    JERUSALEM, Sept. 8 (Xinhua) -- Israeli police recommended to indict Olmert's former associate Uri Messer in addition to Olmert's recommendation, local daily the Jerusalem Post reported Monday on its website.

    According to the report, police said there was sufficient evidence to charge Messer of helping Olmert receive bribes and commit fraud in the Talansky case.

    Police provided the state prosecution with in-depth detail into how Messer acted as a cashier on behalf of Olmert, keeping Long Island investor Morris Talansky's money and distributing it when needed.

    "From time to time, Messer was asked to transfer money to (Olmert's former bureau chief) Shula Zaken and/or Olmert. On a number of instances, Messer was asked to convert a certain amount of dollars and transfer the money to Zaken or Olmert," police was quoted as saying.

    Moshe Talansky, an American businessman, is believed to have transferred thousands of dollars in illicit funds to Olmert under the guise of campaign donations during the latter's tenure as Jerusalem mayor and as industry, trade and labor minister.

    Israeli police recommended on Sunday evening to indict Olmert on charges of bribery, fraud, breach of trust and a string of others in the Rishon tours double billing affair and the Talansky affair.

    The police are set to give their recommendations to the State Attorney's Office. Attorney-General Menahem Mazuz and State-Attorney Moshe Lador will review the case material before making a decision on whether to charge the prime minister.

    The final decision on whether to indict Olmert is expected to be made in approximately two weeks, following a hearing.