Indictment drafted for Israeli president

Moshe Katsav

JERUSALEM - Prosecutors have begun to draft a charge sheet against Israeli President Moshe Katsav after police said they had evidence he committed rape, Israeli media reported today.

Foreign Minister Tzipi Livni, in the strongest criticism yet by a senior official, suggested Katsav should step aside.

As pressure grew on Katsav to quit, two allies of Prime Minister Ehud Olmert went on trial: former Justice Minister Haim Ramon over charges he forced a kiss on a female soldier and lawmaker Tzachi Hanegbi over high-level appointments he made while a minister in a previous government.

Army Radio reported the state attorney-general, Menachem Mazuz, was likely to decide within two weeks to press charges against Katsav over the scandal involving female employees.

The report, published also by the Haaretz newspaper, said Jerusalem prosecutors were drafting a charge sheet after police said on Monday they had evidence Katsav had "carried out sex crimes of rape, sexual molestation by force and without consent".

Justice Ministry spokesman Moshe Cohen said he had no comment.

Katsav, 60, whose ceremonial position is widely seen as a unifying force in a country of deep political divides, has denied any wrongdoing and said he is the victim of a "public lynching without trial".

His lawyer, Tsion Amir, said the president would resign his post if an indictment was brought against him.

"If the attorney-general decides, heaven forbid, there is room for an indictment, the president would not stay on for a moment," Amir said in remarks broadcast by Army Radio.

Livni was quoted by Israeli news portal Ynet News as saying it was "not proper" for Katsav to remain president.

"I don't think it's correct that the president holds on to his position," Livni said during a visit to the city of Hadera.

Katsav is the highest ranking Israeli politician ever suspected of sex crimes. He could face up to 16 years in prison if tried and found guilty of rape.

Israeli newspapers said competition for who would succeed Katsav was heating up.

Israeli Vice Premier Shimon Peres, a Nobel peace laureate, was a candidate to replace Katsav, though it was unclear whether he would agree to run. Katsav defeated Peres in an upset election when he was chosen by parliament in 2000.

Another name mentioned as a possible candidate is former cabinet minister Natan Sharansky, a former Soviet dissident.

The Katsav scandal is unlikely to have any direct effect on the fortunes of Olmert or his coalition government.

But it coincides with court trials involving Olmert allies, Ramon and Hanegbi.

Israeli media carried reports of the opening of their trials today. Both men have denied any wrongdoing.

The State Comptroller's office, the top government watchdog, has also been examining a real estate deal Olmert made in 2004. No criminal charges have been filed against Olmert.

- REUTERS