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Police back Katsav rape charges Police back Katsav rape charges
(20 minutes later)
Israeli police believe there is enough evidence to charge President Moshe Katsav with rape and wire-tapping, a police statement has said. Israeli police believe there is enough evidence to charge President Moshe Katsav with rape and wire-tapping, a statement has said.
The recommendation came at a meeting between Attorney General Menachem Mazuz and police who have been investigating allegations against Mr Katsav. The recommendation came at a meeting between Attorney General Menachem Mazuz and police who have been investigating claims against Mr Katsav for weeks.
Mr Mazuz will have the final say on whether Mr Katsav should face charges.Mr Mazuz will have the final say on whether Mr Katsav should face charges.
Mr Katsav denies claims that he forced two female employees to have sex with him, and all other allegations.Mr Katsav denies claims that he forced two female employees to have sex with him, and all other allegations.
"There is sufficient evidence indicating that in several cases... the president carried out acts of rape, forced sexual acts, sexual acts without consent and sexual harassment," the police statement said. He has said he is the victim of a "public lynching without trial or investigation".
The police statement said: "There is sufficient evidence indicating that in several cases... the president carried out acts of rape, forced sexual acts, sexual acts without consent and sexual harassment."
"There is sufficient evidence indicating violation of the law banning wire-tapping by the president," it added."There is sufficient evidence indicating violation of the law banning wire-tapping by the president," it added.
Likud veteran Residence searched
The statement said police also found basis for charges of fraud and malfeasance in office concerning presidential pardons granted by the president - one of the few powers of his office.The statement said police also found basis for charges of fraud and malfeasance in office concerning presidential pardons granted by the president - one of the few powers of his office.
If charged, the 61-year-old father-of-five would be immune from prosecution. Police searched the president's home in August after allegations of sexual harassment emerged, and have questioned him repeatedly and seized documents during the investigation.
However, he can be impeached by parliament if it feels he acted inappropriately. The 61-year-old father-of-five has rejected calls that he quit the largely ceremonial post that he has held since 2000.
If charged, he would be immune from prosecution.
However, he could be impeached by parliament if it felt he had acted inappropriately.
Mr Katsav is a veteran member of the right-wing Likud party, serving as transport minister in the late 1980s and in 1996 as minister of tourism and deputy prime minister.Mr Katsav is a veteran member of the right-wing Likud party, serving as transport minister in the late 1980s and in 1996 as minister of tourism and deputy prime minister.
He has held the office of president, a largely ceremonial role, since 2000.