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Israeli police arrest former Jerusalem mayor

JERUSALEM - Israeli police arrested a former mayor of Jerusalem on Wednesday in a fast developing investigation into suspected corruption that has also caught up associates of former prime minister Ehud Olmert.

A court spokeswoman said Uri Lupolianski, an Orthodox rabbi who succeeded Olmert as mayor in 2003 and served until 2008, appeared in court and was remanded in custody until April 18. She declined to give details of any charges.

Police last week arrested Olmert’s former law associate, Uri Messer, in a probe into whether bribes were paid to obtain permits to build the Holyland luxury housing development, a towering complex that dominates a hill in the western part of the city.

Olmert, who is already on trial over graft charges, cut short a holiday and was due to return to Israel on Wednesday, his spokesman said.

For years, many Israelis have questioned how the fortress-like circle of towers — still under construction and widely viewed as an eyesore — received planning permission in a holy city that is mostly low-rise. Olmert, a centre-right prime minister from 2006 to 2009, is already standing trial in a series of corruption cases that forced him from office. He has denied any wrongdoing.