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| Israel's Katsav rape trial opens | Israel's Katsav rape trial opens |
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| The trial of former Israeli President Moshe Katsav, accused of rape and a series of sexual offences, has opened in Tel Aviv. | The trial of former Israeli President Moshe Katsav, accused of rape and a series of sexual offences, has opened in Tel Aviv. |
| Mr Katsav, who resigned from the presidency in 2007, vowed to prove his innocence as he arrived at the court. | |
| The charges relate to accusations by several female employees who worked for Mr Katsav while he was tourism minister and, later, president. | The charges relate to accusations by several female employees who worked for Mr Katsav while he was tourism minister and, later, president. |
| If convicted of rape charges, Mr Katsav could face up to 16 years in jail. | If convicted of rape charges, Mr Katsav could face up to 16 years in jail. |
| He would become Israel's first head of state to be convicted of sex offences. | |
| "We are starting today a tough and long struggle to clear my name and I promise once again that I will emerge innocent," he told journalists before he entered the court. | "We are starting today a tough and long struggle to clear my name and I promise once again that I will emerge innocent," he told journalists before he entered the court. |
| Mr Katsav called off a plea bargain in 2008 that would have seen him plead guilty to sexual misconduct but avoid more serious charges, saying that he would stand trial in order to clear his name. | Mr Katsav called off a plea bargain in 2008 that would have seen him plead guilty to sexual misconduct but avoid more serious charges, saying that he would stand trial in order to clear his name. |