Former Israeli President Convicted of Rape
30 December 2010
Former Israeli President Moshe Katsav, center, leaves a court in Tel Aviv, 30 Dec 2010
Moshe Katzav had turned down a plea bargain and opted instead for a trial that he hoped would clear his name.
On Thursday, a panel of judges in Tel Aviv said the former leader's testimony was riddled with lies and declared him guilty on two counts of raping an employee while he was a cabinet minister in the late 1990s. The judges also convicted him of molesting or sexually harassing two other women during his time as president.
Following the verdict, his son, Ariel Katzav, told reporters he believes his father is innocent.
The younger Katzav called it a difficult hour for the family. He said the family will continue to be proud of their father. He called the trial immoral, and one that was based on emotions. He said the family will continue to proclaim to everyone that Moshe Katzav is "innocent".
Israeli women's rights advocates welcomed the verdict.
Mr. Katzav, a member of Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's right-wing Likud party, left the court without making any comments.
The Prime Minister issued a statement calling it a sad day for the Jewish state.
Mr. Katzav's conviction Thursday was the latest in a series of highly publicized scandals involving top Israeli officials. Former Prime Minister Ehud Olmert, who led the country at the time Katzav was President, currently faces corruption charges.
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