Israeli president faces rape charge
Israeli attorney general says there is enough evidence against Moshe Katsav.
“We hope things will turn out differently,” Nahari told The Associated Press.
Katsav’s lawyers had indicated he would resign if indicted, and several politicians called on him to resign immediately.
Kineret Barashi, an attorney for one of the Katsav’s accusers, welcomed the indictment.
“The news that there is finally an indictment against the president of the country is very satisfying – to know that the justice system does its work and doesn’t hold back, even when the president of the country is involved,” she said.
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“I think that in the end things will become clear, and I don’t think it will be what was announced today” David Mena, family friend of Moshe Katsav |
The accusations first surfaced over the summer when one of his female employees accused Katsav of forcing her to have sex in his office.
Soon after, other women levelled similar accusations against him, painting the picture of a politician who had harassed his employees and abused his power throughout his career.
Mazuz declined to recommend that Katsav be charged with wire tapping and selling pardons.
“I think that in the end things will become clear, and I don’t think it will be what was announced today,” David Mena, a friend of Katsav’s, told Israel‘s Channel 2. “I’m sure the indictment will be softened.”
Limor Livnat, a former cabinet minister of the Likud party, called on Katsav to step down.
“The president must resign immediately,” she told Army Radio.