JERUSALEM — Israel's state prosecutor will appeal the acquittals and sentence in former Prime Minister Ehud Olmert's recent corruption trial, possibly snagging his plans for a political rebirth.

The justice ministry announced the decision late Tuesday. It could chill any plans Olmert might have to make a political comeback in January elections. The corruption allegations had driven him from office, paving the way for Benjamin Netanyahu's election in February 2009.

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In July, Olmert was cleared of the major charges against him in this case but was convicted of helping to channel government contracts to a friend's associates.

That lesser conviction earned him a suspended sentence and a fine. Neither penalty would disqualify him from running for office again.

Olmert has not announced whether he wants to return to politics. He faces additional corruption charges in a separate case now underway.