Former Israeli President Moshe Katsav guilty of rape and sexual assault
Judge deems Katsav's version of events was 'riddled with lies'; former president found guilty of all charges, except that he allegedly harassed a witness.
Former President Moshe Katsav was found guilty of rape and sexual assault at Tel Aviv District Court on Thursday, as the judges ruled that his version of events was "riddled with lies."
The unanimous verdict was handed down more than four years after complaints surfaced of grave sexual offenses against various subordinates, during his terms as tourism minister and as president.
Katsav was convicted of raping and sexually assaulting A., a former employee at the Tourism Ministry. He was also convicted of sexually harassing H. from the President's Residence, of sexually abusing and harassing L. from the President's Residence and of obstruction of justice.
The 65-year-old former president was acquitted on only one charge - that he allegedly harassed a witness.
The year-long trial took place almost entirely behind closed doors, and left the public wondering whether Katsav made a wise move when he abruptly dropped out of an extremely lenient plea bargain two years ago.
The plea bargain meant that Katsav would not face the most serious charges and promised him a suspended sentence at worse, but the former president decided he wanted to prove his innocence in court.
Source: http://www.haaretz.com/news/national/former-president-moshe-katsav-guilty-of-rape-and-sexual-assault-1.334231
sorry mods for posting this the last time without the source. happy new year <3
Former President Moshe Katsav was found guilty of rape and sexual assault at Tel Aviv District Court on Thursday, as the judges ruled that his version of events was "riddled with lies."
The unanimous verdict was handed down more than four years after complaints surfaced of grave sexual offenses against various subordinates, during his terms as tourism minister and as president.
Katsav was convicted of raping and sexually assaulting A., a former employee at the Tourism Ministry. He was also convicted of sexually harassing H. from the President's Residence, of sexually abusing and harassing L. from the President's Residence and of obstruction of justice.
The 65-year-old former president was acquitted on only one charge - that he allegedly harassed a witness.
The year-long trial took place almost entirely behind closed doors, and left the public wondering whether Katsav made a wise move when he abruptly dropped out of an extremely lenient plea bargain two years ago.
The plea bargain meant that Katsav would not face the most serious charges and promised him a suspended sentence at worse, but the former president decided he wanted to prove his innocence in court.
Source: http://www.haaretz.com/news/national/former-president-moshe-katsav-guilty-of-rape-and-sexual-assault-1.334231
sorry mods for posting this the last time without the source. happy new year <3