Israeli President to be charged with rape

Prosecutors intend to charge President Moshe Katsav with rape and other crimes against female employees, the Justice Ministry said yesterday, in what would be an unprecedented indictment against an Israeli head of state.

Mr Katsav has denied wrongdoing. His post is largely ceremonial and the scandal is unlikely to have a direct impact on Prime Minister Ehud Olmert - who has himself been hurt politically by a string of investigations into suspected corruption, which he has denied.

The case against Mr Katsav, months in the making, appeared certain to strengthen the feeling among many Israelis that misconduct is rampant at the top.

"The attorney-general, with the agreement of the state attorney, reached the conclusion that there is sufficient prima facie evidence to indict the President," the Justice Ministry said in a statement.

The scandal erupted last year when several former staffers filed complaints with police, accusing Mr Katsav of sex crimes.

The ministry said an indictment would include the charge of raping one of the four women who accused Mr Katsav of sexual assault. In the statement, Attorney-General Menachem Mazuz gave Mr Katsav a last chance to present legal arguments before a final draft of the indictment, proposing a hearing at which he promised to hear the President's response with an "open heart and a willing soul".

The ministry said a date for the hearing would be set soon. In response, Mr Katsav's attorney David Liba'i told reporters "We believe the attorney general will change his position" once they present their case at the hearing.

"The President is convinced it will become clear to all he is the victim of false accusations intended to push him out of his job, and he will fight to prove his innocence," Dr Liba'i said.

Asked whether Mr Katsav intended to resign, Dr Liba'i replied that Mr Katsav has said he would suspend himself from duty if he were indicted.

Mr Katsav would announce his plans at a news conference planned for today, Dr Liba'i added.

While serving as president, Mr Katsav can be put on trial only if he resigns or is impeached by Parliament.

Mr Katsav has been President since 2000 and is due to stand down in July.