JERUSALEM (JPS) -- Shimon Sheves, a former director-general of the Israel Prime Minister's Office, was convicted and sentenced D
Sheves, one of slain Prime Minister Yitzhak Rabin's closest aides, maintains he is innocent and said his lawyers will appeal the
"I'm sure that if Rabin were here I would have been acquitted, because everything I did was with his knowledge and permission," Sheves said after hearing the sentence.
Sheves was convicted of taking advantage of his position and acting behind Rabin's back to promote his personal business interests. This included attempting to convince Rabin to invite the president of a foreign state, whose name has been banned from publication for security reasons, to advance his business dealings in the country. Sheves had a questionable connection with a group of Israeli and foreign businessmen involved in weapons dealing and production.
In handing down the sentence, Levi emphasized that a civil servant in a senior position with great influence has a responsibility to behave carefully and make sure all his actions are proper.