Sex crime inquiry against Israeli minister closed

Associated Press

JERUSALEM (AP) — A sex-crimes investigation into a senior Israeli government minister and presidential hopeful was shut Wednesday, the justice ministry said, citing the country's 10-year statute of limitations as the main reason.

The ministry said Attorney General Yehuda Weinstein decided to end the inquiry against Silvan Shalom on Wednesday. It cited Israel's 10-year statute of limitations for such offenses as the primary reason for ending the probe.

Earlier this year, a woman alleged that said she felt coerced to perform a sex act on Shalom when she was his secretary 15 years ago.

Shalom held a number of top posts over the past 20 years. He now serves as water and energy minister and is expected to contend for the presidency as Shimon Peres retires this summer.

Shalom's spokesman declined to comment.

Former President Moshe Katsav quit in 2007 to face a sex-crime case that later sent him to prison.