Former Israeli president Moshe Katzav. Photo: Amir Gilad.

Ynet – A Tel Aviv District Court panel sentenced former Israeli President Moshe Katsav to seven years in prison and two years of probation for rape, indecent acts, sexual harassment and obstruction of justice.

“Rape is one of the most serious offences in the statute book,” Justice George Karra stated at the beginning of the hearing, adding that for this reason the court must send a clear message. “The defendant is a symbol. The fact that Katsav committed the acts while serving in a high-ranking post is reason to judge him severely.”

The defense claimed that the media sentenced the former president in a field trial. “the media’s premature judging of the defendant placed him in a weak starting point.” they said.

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