Katsav testifies for 1st time in rape trial
Tel Aviv District Court hears former president's version on serious allegations that he sexually assaulted workers
The accusations against Katsav include two rape charges and sexual assault against a woman who worked with him at the Tourism Ministry and sexual harassment of his secretary ay the President's Residence. He is also accused of indecent assault and sexual harassment against another woman who worked with him during his presidential term, as well as harassing a witness.
In the past few months, the court heard the testimonies of the complainants, who were also cross-examined by Katsav's lawyer. A., who served as Katsav's bureau chief during his term as tourism minister, testified about three weeks ago. Her testimony cannot be published as it was given behind closed doors.
In her testimony to the police, A. said that the harassment began shortly after she was hired by the minister. According to the indictment, in April 1998, following an event in Tel Aviv, he returned with her to the office claiming he had forgotten something there, and raped her.
"I don't remember how I found myself on the floor. He came and lay over me and I pushed him," A. told the police. The second rape allegedly took place two months later at a Jerusalem hotel, when the minister attacked his bureau chide, told her, "Relax, you'll enjoy it," and forced himself on her as she tried to stop him.
The State Prosecutor's Office noted in the indictment that A. did not complain against her boss for fear of losing her job, and yet he fired her a year after the alleged rape. Only after the affair was revealed following a complaint filed by another woman who worked at the President's Residence, the investigators reached the key complainant and persuaded her to testify.
The second charge, sexual harassment, refers to H. who worked at the President's Residence. "In several incidents, following work meetings, the defendant walked the complainant to the door, and before she left his office he hugged her – each time for 10 seconds – while moving his body close to hers," the prosecution said.
