This article is from the source 'bbc' and was first published or seen on . It last changed over 40 days ago and won't be checked again for changes.

You can find the current article at its original source at http://www.bbc.co.uk/go/rss/int/news/-/news/world-middle-east-16064840

The article has changed 3 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.

Version 0 Version 1
Israel ex-President Katsav to begin jail term for rape Israel ex-President Katsav begins jail term for rape
(40 minutes later)
Disgraced former Israeli President Moshe Katsav is due to arrive at a prison outside Tel Aviv to begin a seven-year term for rape. The disgraced former Israeli President, Moshe Katsav, has arrived at the Maasiyahu prison near Tel Aviv to begin a seven-year sentence for rape.
He will leave his wife behind at home in the southern town of Kiryat Malachi and head to Maasiyahu minimum-security prison. Leaving his home in the town of Kiryat Malachi, he insisted he was innocent and accused the state of "executing" him and "burying a man alive".
Katsav's case entranced and horrified the Israeli nation. Katsav's case has entranced and horrified the Israeli nation.
He was convicted a year ago, but was allowed to remain free while he appealed the sentence. He was convicted a year ago, but was allowed to remain free while he appealed against the conviction.
Katsav, who turned 66 on Monday, resigned from the largely ceremonial post of president in 2007, but has always insisted he is innocent. Katsav, who turned 66 on Monday, resigned from the largely ceremonial post of president two weeks before his seven-year term was to expire in 2007, under a plea bargain that would have allowed him to escape a prison sentence.
But in November the Supreme Court unanimously upheld his conviction for raping a former employee when he was a minister in the 1990s, and for sexually harassing two other women during his 2000-2007 presidential term. But he then rejected the deal he had struck with prosecutors, vowing to prove his innocence in court.
"Moshe Katsav will go to jail as planned [on Wednesday] and will receive the same conditions as other prisoners," Israel's minister for internal security, Yitzhak Aharonovich, reportedly told Israel Radio on Tuesday. In November, the Supreme Court unanimously upheld his conviction for raping a former employee when he was a cabinet minister in the 1990s, and for sexually harassing two other women while president.
"Moshe Katsav will go to jail as planned and will receive the same conditions as other prisoners," Israel's minister for internal security, Yitzhak Aharonovich, told Israel Radio on Tuesday.
Suicide watchSuicide watch
Katsav will be placed in the prison wing reserved for observant Jews and will share a cell with ex-government minister Shlomo Benzri in a move intended to ease his transition, reports said. Katsav will be placed in a wing that is reserved for observant Jews, and will share a cell with ex-government minister Shlomo Benzri in a move intended to ease his transition, reports say.
He will be assigned a special warden to ensure he does not attempt suicide, Prisons Service chief Aharon Franco told a Knesset hearing on Tuesday, said the Jerusalem Post. He will be assigned a special warden to ensure he does not attempt suicide, Prisons Service chief Aharon Franco told a Knesset hearing on Tuesday, according to the Jerusalem Post.
Inmates in the religious section rise at 04:30, attend morning prayers and spend much of their time in religious study, with no access to television.Inmates in the religious section rise at 04:30, attend morning prayers and spend much of their time in religious study, with no access to television.
After serving a quarter of his sentence, Katsav could become eligible for spells of leave away from prison and could even apply to have his term reduced, Associated Press quoted Prisons Service spokeswoman Sivan Weizman as saying. After serving a quarter of his sentence, Katsav could become eligible for spells of leave away from prison and could even apply to have his term reduced, the Associated Press news agency quoted Prisons Service spokeswoman Sivan Weizman as saying.
But he would have to admit guilt and express remorse, she said - something he has so far refused to do.But he would have to admit guilt and express remorse, she said - something he has so far refused to do.
Katsav is the first former Israeli head of state to be jailed.Katsav is the first former Israeli head of state to be jailed.
Israeli women's groups welcomed his conviction, saying allegations of sexual harassment were too often ignored.Israeli women's groups welcomed his conviction, saying allegations of sexual harassment were too often ignored.