Pictured Above: Former Israeli Prime Minister Ehud Olmert. Credit: Maxine Dovere.

(JNS.org) Former Israeli Prime Minister Ehud Olmert was granted an early release from prison Thursday by a parole board, after serving one year and four months of a 26-month sentence related to two separate corruption scandals.

Barring any delays that may be implemented by the Israeli State Prosecutor’s Office, Olmert will go free July 2.

“He is extremely happy, but I can tell you that he is still shocked by the things that have been thrown in his face,” Olmert’s attorney, Shani Illouz, told reporters. She said Olmert will volunteer at the nonprofit organizations Ezra Lemarpeh and Leket, which work to provide medical aid and food to Israelis in need.

The former head of state was convicted in March 2014 for receiving bribes to facilitate the construction of the Holyland housing project in Jerusalem in 2004. In 2015, he was found guilty of receiving payoffs from American businessman Morris Talansky between 1993 and 2002. Olmert began serving his multiple sentences in February 2016, becoming the first former Israeli prime minister to spend time in prison.

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