Israeli Ex-President Enters Prison

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7 December 2011


 Moshe Katsav, Israel’s former president, embraced his son as he entered
Maasiyahu prison on Wednesday to begin a seven-year sentence for rape.

ISRAEL – Israeli ex-President, Moshe Katsav, enjoys his last day as a free man in his home surrounded by family and friends.  He will serve a seven-year sentence for rape.  He was convicted for raping an employee twice while minister of tourism in 1998 and sexually abusing and harassing two more while head of state.  He claims he is innocent of all charges.  He stated in an interview that he doubted the system to which he devoted his life.  He will be place in a special wing of the Maasiyahu Prison in Ramle with other religiously observant Jews.  It is highly likely that he will be in the company of many of the prisoners whose pardons he rejected while serving as president from 2000 to 2007.  He stated that he will not succumb to the conspirators and that Israel has become like Saudi Arabia where a hug is a sex offense.  His state-provided car and allowances for home maintenance, telephones, and newspapers no longer exist and his staff is unemployed.  Many of his defenders believe he is the victim of ethnic and class prejudice.  It has also been argued that he faced a changing legal and political scene that altered the view of female employees.  He rejected the plea deal that would have him confess to inappropriate conduct and avoid prison time.  He chose to fight instead of admitting to wrongdoing. 

Reliability:  9

Source:  Avowing Innocence, Israeli Ex-President Enters Prison

http://www.nytimes.com/2011/12/08/world/middleeast/moshe-katsav-ex-israeli-president-enters-prison.html?pagewanted=1&_r=1

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