Katsav trial: Sentence to be given March 8
Former president convicted of rape enters final stages of trial. Prosecutors to demand considerable jail time, defense to motion for mitigated sentence
Former President Moshe Katsav arrived at the Tel Aviv District Court Tuesday for the sentencing arguments stage of his trial after being convicted of rape nearly two months ago.
He emerged from the court four hours later after the hearing ended. The judges decided that the sentence on his case will be given on March 8 at 9 am.
Katsav's attorneys refused to comment after the hearing. The ex-president hurried to the elevator surrounded by family members and friends.
Katsav refused to answer questions earlier on Tuesday on why he and his attorneys decided not to bring any character witnesses. The hearing was held in closed doors, while the sentencing will be open to the public.
The prosecutors have been hard at work these past few days preparing data after their meetings with the attorney general and State Prosecutor's Office officials.
They were slated not to specify the number of years in prison they will be demanding for the defendant, but instead likely demanded a considerable imprisonment period as per the court's consideration.
Meanwhile, defense counsels were expected to motion for a mitigated sentence, and were slated to argue that a long time had past since the offences were committed. They also likely claimed the complainants did not suffer real damage as a result of Katsav's actions.
The sentence will likely see the former president sent to prison - the first time in Israel's history.
The State Prosecutor's Office is expected to agree to delay sentencing by a month so as to give Katsav time to make arrangements due to his public past and considering he is not likely to flee the country.
Boaz Fyler contributed to the report
- Follow Ynetnews on Facebook
