Barak hopes scandal involving Olmert will be unfounded

Occupied Jerusalem: Israeli Defence Minister Ehud Barak has expressed hope that corruption charges against Prime Minister Ehud Olmert will prove unfounded.

Olmert is under criminal investigation over claims he illegally received funds from a wealthy US businessman. He will face police questioning again in the next few days.

"I hope the suspicions against Olmert prove to be unfounded," Barak was quoted as saying by the Maariv daily on Monday.

Barak also said that Israel may hold a snap legislative election by early 2009.