Israel president probed on harassment claim

JERUSALEM - Israeli police have raided the official residence of President Moshe Katsav and taken away computers and documents in connection with sexual harassment allegations.

Detectives were to question the 60-year-old father of five under caution after a female former employee accused him of forcing her to have sexual relations with him.

The President, a Likud politician whose family migrated to Israel from Iran when he was 5, will be interrogated at his residence and could be charged with rape. The complainant is reported to have passed a lie-detector test on the key issues. Israeli media predicted that Katsav would have to resign if the police decide to press charges. His term has one more year to run.

Katsav has denied any wrongdoing.

- INDEPENDENT