The sexual offenses against three women occurred during Katsav tenure as tourism minister from 1996 to 1999 and during the presidency of 2000 to 2007. Because of the allegations Katsav resigned in 2007 as head of state, but had always protested his innocence. The first trial of an Israeli president had begun last year.The judge stressed that the applicant, who accused Katsav rape in two cases, have spoken the truth. Katsav had however, caught up in lies. The former president was stunned by media reports that he heard the verdict. "No, no," he muttered. Before the Court demonstrated women's organizations, demanding a severe punishment for Katsav.
First reports of the rapes were there in July 2006. At that time, Katsav had publicly complained about alleged extortion allegations of sexual harassment. The Attorney General ordered an investigation. To pressure from MPs back Katsav had to give the traditional speech opening the winter session of the Knesset.
Given the increasing in criticism, he left his office to rest in January 2007, a resignation but refused vehemently. His critics accused Katsav of a campaign, the allegations against him were "lynching". Journalists had felt his election as the "end of Zionism" because his family comes from Iran, rumbled Katsav.
After it was elected in June Shimon Peres as the new president, Katsav came back eventually. With the prosecutor he had previously negotiated a deal. He refused to admit cases of sexual harassment, it should rape and corruption charges are dropped. The Attorney General defended the deal, because then the evidence on the rape could not possibly have been sufficient for a conviction.
A year later, however Katsav announced to want to restore his good name, the process was bursting against him. According to recent investigations by the Attorney General brought an indictment in March 2009.
No comments:
Post a Comment