Former President Katsav indicted
State Prosecutor's Office files new, amended indictment against former president; charges include counts of rape, indecent act, sexual harassment
Former President Moshe Katsav was indicted on several counts of sexual offences Thursday. The charges were filed with the Tel Aviv District Court.
The indictment includes two counts of rape and forceful indecent act against A. of the Tourism Ministry, and two counts of sexual harassment against H. and L. of the Office of the President. The indictment also included a charge of obstruction of justice and witness tampering in L.'s case.
The lengthy indictment argues that Katsav systematically abused his power over the complainants in order to coerce improper relations of a sexual nature, despite the fact that none of them seemed receptive to his advances.
The indictment details in full the various ways and measures in which Katsav forced himself on A. of the Tourism Ministry, trying to engage her in conversations of a sexual nature, touching her against her will and inviting himself over to her apartment, where he tried to force himself on her, but she was able to successfully resist.
- For full coverage of the Katsav case click here
His advanced, alleged the State, escalated over time despite A.'s clear refusal to comply; until he eventually forced himself on her in his Tel Aviv office. According to the case file, A. was raped by Katsav a second time, two months later.
The second count of the indictment details the case of H. of the Office of the President, and lists – again – a plethora of unwanted advances by Katsav.
The third counts, pertaining to L. of the Office of the President, details the various ways in which the former president sexually harassed the complainant.
Count four of the indictment - obstruction of justice and witness tampering – also pertains to L.'s case and details the ways in which Katsav attempted to convince her not to file a police complaint against him.
'Case lacks evidentiary basis'
The prosecution named 56 witnesses, including the complainants and various public figures. Police Major-General Yoav Segalovich, head of Lahav 433 – the "Israeli FBI" unit which oversaw the investigation – is also expected to take the stand.
- For the full indictment click here
A.'s attorney, Daniel Srur, lauded the indictment, saying it was "proof of the law enforcement system's faith in A.'s case."
Attorney Zecharia shklovsky, for complainant L., said his clients was pleased with the fact that the State Prosecutor's Office's believed she was telling the truth. There is no reason to think the court will find otherwise."
Those close to the former president said Thursday that there are sure justice will prevail despite the formal charges. "This indictment lacks evidentiary basis," Katsav's media advisor, Amnon Shomron, told Ynet.
"It is very regrettable that Attorney General Menachem Mazuz ignored the five senior staffers in the State Prosecutor's Office who recommended the case be closed. Come his day in court, Moshe Katsav will prove his innocence and the failures in Mazuz's conduct, but the latter will most likely no longer be in office when that happens."
Attorney Zion Amir, who heads Katsav's legal team, said: "Once an indictment has been filed the place to fight this fight is in the court of law, which is where we will prove his case."
Aviad Glickman contributed to this report
