|
|
|
Advertisement
Israel
December 30, 2010
Former Israeli president Katsav convicted of rape
| Tweet | Share |
|
Former Israeli President Moshe Katsav, with gray hair at center, outside a Tel Aviv court on Dec. 30, 2010 after being convicted of raping a government employee, assaulting a female employee of the President's Residence and sexually harassing an 18-year-old female National Service volunteer. (Yossi Zeliger / Flash90 / JTA)
Former Israeli president Moshe Katsav has been found guilty of rape and sexual assault, more than four years after he was first accused.
The unanimous verdict of the three-judge panel was announced in Tel Aviv District Court on Thursday.
Katsav, 65, was convicted of raping and sexually assaulting A., a former employee of the Tourism Ministry. He was also convicted of sexually harassing H. and of sexually abusing and harassing L., both employees of the President’s Residence, and of obstruction of justice. The incidents occurred when Katsav was serving as Israel’s president and tourism minister.
Katsav was accompanied to court by his lawyers, but not by his wife, Gila, who previously had stood by his side throughout the proceedings. Katsav’s attorneys said they would appeal the verdict to the Supreme Court.
The trial lasted for one year. Two years ago, Katsav declined what was seen as a lenient plea bargain — one that dropped the rape charges and likely would have left him with a suspended sentence — saying that he wanted to clear his name in court. Most of the trial was held behind closed doors to protect the accusers.
A sentencing date has not yet been set. A rape conviction carries a minimum prison sentence of four years and a maximum of 16 years.
Katsav, a 1951 immigrant to Israel from Iran, rose to the presidency when the Knesset elected him in 2000, upsetting candidate Shimon Peres. Peres became president in 2007 after Katsav resigned in the wake of the allegations, shortly before the end of his term.
“This is a sad day for the State of Israel and its residents,” Israel’s Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said in a statement after the verdict.
He added: “Today, the court conveyed two clear-cut messages — that all are equal before the law and that every woman has exclusive rights to her body.”
Post your comment below!
Tags and Sharing
Tags
Share This Story
del.icio.us
Digg
Facebook
Google
Reddit
StumbleUpon
Technorati
YahooMyWeb
Discussion
We welcome your feedback. Please share your views and insight in The Jewish Journal Reader Forums.
Privacy Policy
Your information will not be shared or sold without your consent. Get all the details.
COMMENTS
We welcome your feedback. Comments may not exceed 700 characters.
Privacy Policy
Your information will not be shared or sold without your consent. Get all the details.
Terms of Service
JewishJournal.com has rules for its commenting community.Get all the details.
| |||||||||
| |||||||||
| |||||||||
| ||
Site SectionsNewspaper
Serving a community of 600,000, The Jewish Journal of Greater Los Angeles is the largest Jewish weekly outside New York City. Our award-winning paper reaches over 150,000 educated, involved and affluent readers each week. Subscribe here. © Copyright 2012 Tribe Media Corp. | ||
|