Arkadi Gaydamak

The scandal, known as "Angolagate," goes back 10 years to when the illegal weapons deals were first revealed. Last week 42 defendants in the case finally went on trial before the 11th Criminal Court in Paris. The trappings of the trial are in keeping with its high-profile cast. The defendants sitting in the "Salle des criées," beneath elaborate ceiling murals and chandeliers in the Palace of Justice on the Ile de la Cité, include Jean-Christopher Mitterrand, the 61-year-old son of former President Francois Mitterrand, former Interior Minister Charles Pasqua, 81, and Jacques Attali, 64, a former advisor to Mitterrand who until recently worked for President Nicolas Sarkozy.

The leading role is played by Pierre Falcone, 54, who, according to the prosecution, was the mastermind behind the illegal weapons trade. Co-defendant Arkadi Gaydamak, 56, is currently hoping to embark on a second career as mayor of Jerusalem. He opted to remain in Israel.

.....Gaydamak left the country for Israel where, thanks to his Israeli citizenship, he is safe against extradition, despite international warrants for his arrest. After returning to the Holy Land, Gaydamak distinguished himself as a patron of the poor and the religious. A billionaire, he pays for vacations on the Red Sea for Israeli rocket attack victims and paid for a new hospital for Orthodox Jews. In addition, he seems to share the passion among newly rich Russians for buying football teams. Gaydamak owns the Beitar Jerusalem club.

FRENCH ELThe Sordid Tale of 'Angolagate'ITE ON TRIAL