Sharon son told to give up files

Gilad may take some time to hand over the documents

The Israeli prime minister's younger son has been told to give up documents linked to two corruption cases which also allegedly involve his father.

Gilad Sharon had previously refused to hand over the material, but his lawyer said he would now comply.

The news came after Israel's chief prosecutor recommended that Ariel Sharon be charged in one of the cases, involving a Greek tourism project.

Mr Sharon and his sons deny any wrongdoing in either affair.

But there has been increasing pressure on Mr Sharon to resign over the scandals.

Members of the opposition Labour and Yahad parties were joined over the weekend by Infrastructure Minister Yosef Paritzky in calling for Mr Sharon to go.

'Financial records'

Gilad Sharon was ordered to hand over the documents after the Supreme Court turned down his appeal against a lower court ruling.

Lawyer Micha Fettman said his client might take some time to find the documents as some had to be obtained from third parties.

Guide to key players Press critical on Sharon troubles

The documents are also thought to include the family's financial records.

A businessman, David Appel, is accused of paying the Sharon family to promote a tourism project.

Mr Appel employed Mr Sharon's son, Gilad, as a consultant in a deal involving a Greek resort in 1999.

Gilad had no previous experience in the tourism industry.

The other case stems from an alleged infringement of election finance regulations in 1999 and 2000.

Mr Sharon's sons are alleged to have used a $1.5m loan from South African-based British businessman Cyril Kern to pay for overspending during his leadership election campaign.

Examining evidence

On Sunday, State Attorney Edna Arbel concluded there were sufficient grounds to charge Mr Sharon over the so-called "Greek Island Affair".

Attorney General Menachem Mazuz will now assess the evidence presented to him - as well as the recommendations of the head of the police investigations division, Major General Moshe Mizrahi.

A decision could take up to two months.

Mr Sharon has said he intends to serve the rest of his term until 2007, despite the allegations against him.