Former Israeli President Moshe Katsav arrives at his trial for rape, December 30. / JACK GUEZL'ex-Israeli President Moshe Katsav was convicted Thursday, December 30 two rapes. The verdict of the District Court of Tel Aviv was made after a trial of more than four years. The former head of state, 65, was convicted of raping two of his subordinates to reprisesune when he was tourism minister in the 1990s.
It also replied to "indecent acts, sexual harassment, witness tampering and obstruction of justice," and pleaded not guilty. On March 19, 2009, Katsav had been formally charged with "rape", "sexual harassment" and "indecent acts" against three of its employees while serving as Minister of Tourism and Head of State after his election in 2000.
Mr Katsav, chairman until 2007, risk more than sixteen years in prison and at least four years in prison for each act of rape, the penalty to be imposed later. It may appeal to the Supreme Court, "but his chances of success would be zero," said Moshe Negbi, a legal expert on Israeli public radio.
It also replied to "indecent acts, sexual harassment, witness tampering and obstruction of justice," and pleaded not guilty. On March 19, 2009, Katsav had been formally charged with "rape", "sexual harassment" and "indecent acts" against three of its employees while serving as Minister of Tourism and Head of State after his election in 2000.
Mr Katsav, chairman until 2007, risk more than sixteen years in prison and at least four years in prison for each act of rape, the penalty to be imposed later. It may appeal to the Supreme Court, "but his chances of success would be zero," said Moshe Negbi, a legal expert on Israeli public radio.
The former president has turned pale and whispered "no, no" reading of the expected ruling by the presiding judge, Justice George Kara. "If someone has used the double talk, the accused and his arguments that he had an alibi have crumbled" about two charges of rape, the judge said Kara.
"Katsav's testimony was full of lies ", said the three jurors in their judgments. The scandal had prompted Katsav to resign without consequences for Israeli politics, since the role of president is largely ceremonial. Katsav's trial was held behind closed doors to respect the privacy of complainants.
Groups of rights of women have seen the trial of former president as a victory, denouncing them the complacency of the Israeli authorities towards sexual harassment in the office. Katsav said he was blackmailed and a cabal of racist motivations. Born in Iran, he arrived in Israel in 1951 when he was a child.
His ascent of neighborhoods to the higher levels of power, made it a model for all Jews who came penniless from the Middle East and North Africa.
"Katsav's testimony was full of lies ", said the three jurors in their judgments. The scandal had prompted Katsav to resign without consequences for Israeli politics, since the role of president is largely ceremonial. Katsav's trial was held behind closed doors to respect the privacy of complainants.
Groups of rights of women have seen the trial of former president as a victory, denouncing them the complacency of the Israeli authorities towards sexual harassment in the office. Katsav said he was blackmailed and a cabal of racist motivations. Born in Iran, he arrived in Israel in 1951 when he was a child.
His ascent of neighborhoods to the higher levels of power, made it a model for all Jews who came penniless from the Middle East and North Africa.
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