MosJan Posted January 23, 2007 Report Share Posted January 23, 2007 By Jeffrey Heller JERUSALEM (Reuters) - Prosecutors intend to charge President Moshe Katsav with rape and other crimes against female employees, the Justice Ministry said on Tuesday, in what would be an unprecedented indictment against an Israeli head of state. Katsav has denied wrongdoing. His post is largely ceremonial and the scandal is unlikely to have a direct impact on Prime Minister Ehud Olmert -- who has himself been hurt politically by a string of investigations into suspected corruption, which he has denied. The case against Katsav, months in the making, appeared certain to strengthen the feeling among many Israelis that misconduct is rampant at the top. "The attorney-general, with the agreement of the state attorney, reached the conclusion that there is sufficient prima facie evidence to indict the president," the Justice Ministry said in a statement. The scandal erupted last year when several former staffers filed complaints with police, accusing Katsav of sex crimes. The ministry said an indictment would include the charge of raping one of the four women who accused Katsav of sexual assault. In the statement, Attorney-General Menachem Mazuz gave Katsav a last chance to present legal arguments before a final draft of the indictment, proposing a hearing at which he promised to hear the president's response with an "open heart and a willing soul" The ministry said a date for the hearing would be set soon. In response, Katsav's attorney David Liba'i told reporters "we believe the attorney general will change his position" once they present their case at the hearing. "The president is convinced it will become clear to all he is the victim of false accusations intended to push him out of his job, and he will fight to prove his innocence," Liba'i said. Asked whether Katsav intended to resign, Liba'i replied that Katsav has said he would suspend himself from duty if he were indicted. Katsav would announce his plans at a news conference planned for Wednesday, Liba'i added. While serving as president, Katsav can be put on trial only if he resigns or is impeached by parliament. Katsav has been president since 2000 and is due to stand down in July. © Reuters 2007. All Rights Reserved Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Arpa Posted January 23, 2007 Report Share Posted January 23, 2007 (edited) Have the witnesses testified whether he is circumcised or an un....-Ermeni? Sorry. They don't speak that language. They speak that other turkic dialect of the Middle East.. That "Ben Kelev"!I'm sure Johannes knows what that means. If not, how about "ibn Kelb"? I can use more graphic language but there are ladies here. Edited January 23, 2007 by Arpa Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
phantom22 Posted January 23, 2007 Report Share Posted January 23, 2007 Arpa, So now you are going to check every Armenian male you meet to see if they are circumcised? I can assure you that the police will jail you on morals charges. Have the witnesses testified whether he is circumcised or an un....-Ermeni? Sorry. They don't speak that language. They speak that other turkic dialect of the Middle East.. That "Ben Kelev"!I'm sure Johannes knows what that means. If not, how about "ibn Kelb"? I can use more graphic language but there are ladies here. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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