[ 30/12/2010 - 01:00 PM ] The public prosecutor indicted Katsav on charges of rape and indecent assault against complainant A, who served as head of his office while he was Israel's minister of tourism; sexual harassment against complainant H, who worked as his office director at the president headquarters; and an indecent act and sexual harassment against complainant L, another woman under his order as president.
Katsav was also accused of harassing complainant L and obstructing justice. But he flatly denied all charges placed against him.
A baseless testimony given for the defense stood no chance against complainant A's evidence-backed testimony, which ultimately convinced the court that she was telling the truth.
The court also dismissed the possibility that Katsav had an alibi for rape charges against A, saying the former president's testimony was riddled with lies.
The court announced its refusal to dismiss charges because of flaws Katsav's attorneys discovered in legal proceedings, accusing the defendant of shuffling papers and not accepting the plea bargain he was offered at the time.
The verdict will be given later, the maximum penalty being a 16 year prison sentence with a minimum of four years.
Israel's similarity with many Arab countries: the head of state is a rapist. However, the similarities stop here: Arab rapist-leaders take pride in the doings and are never exposed, much less, prosecuted!
Uprooted Palestinian
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