President faces rape charge

JERUSALEM – Israeli President Moshe Katsav was fighting for his political life yesterday after police said they had enough evidence to indict him on charges of rape, sexual harassment and wire-tapping.

Katsav, who cancelled his appearance to open the new session of parliament later yesterday, is immune from prosecution while holder of the largely ceremonial post of president, but could be charged if impeached by the Knesset. “There is sufficient evidence indicating that in several cases…the president carried out acts of rape, forced sexual acts, sexual acts without consent and sexual harassment,” police said in a statement Sunday.”There is sufficient evidence indicating violation of the law banning wire-tapping by the president,” they said following a meeting with investigators and Attorney General Menachem Mazuz.Mazuz is expected to decide within two to three weeks whether to file an indictment against Katsav, a married father of five who has denied the allegations against him and says he is the victim of a “witchhunt.”The 60-year-old Katsav, who has rejected calls that he step down pending the investigation, could face between three and 16 years in prison if convicted, Israeli radio reported.The charges are the most serious faced by an Israeli leader, although several other top figures, including former prime minister Ariel Sharon, have faced probes into allegations of corruption.The sex scandal threatened to overshadow the opening of the new session of parliament.Katsav had originally said that he would preside over the opening of the Knesset’s winter session despite the police statement, but later cancelled his appearance after a wave of protests from lawmakers.Katsav’s attorney Zion Amir.”This is not the first time police have recommended the indictment of senior figures, including prime ministers, and those recommendations have all been rejected,” he said.Nampa-AFP”There is sufficient evidence indicating that in several cases…the president carried out acts of rape, forced sexual acts, sexual acts without consent and sexual harassment,” police said in a statement Sunday.”There is sufficient evidence indicating violation of the law banning wire-tapping by the president,” they said following a meeting with investigators and Attorney General Menachem Mazuz.Mazuz is expected to decide within two to three weeks whether to file an indictment against Katsav, a married father of five who has denied the allegations against him and says he is the victim of a “witchhunt.”The 60-year-old Katsav, who has rejected calls that he step down pending the investigation, could face between three and 16 years in prison if convicted, Israeli radio reported.The charges are the most serious faced by an Israeli leader, although several other top figures, including former prime minister Ariel Sharon, have faced probes into allegations of corruption.The sex scandal threatened to overshadow the opening of the new session of parliament.Katsav had originally said that he would preside over the opening of the Knesset’s winter session despite the police statement, but later cancelled his appearance after a wave of protests from lawmakers.Katsav’s attorney Zion Amir.”This is not the first time police have recommended the indictment of senior figures, including prime ministers, and those recommendations have all been rejected,” he said.Nampa-AFP