Moshe Katzav
Moshe KatzavFlash 90

The Prisoner Rehabilitation Authority is recommending that former President Moshe Katzav, who is serving out a seven-year jail term for two counts of rape, be released from prison as soon as next week, Channel 10 News reported Wednesday.

According to the report, the recommendation is subject to the implementation of a rehabilitation plan that has been drawn up for Katzav and which includes daily visits to a Beit Midrash, group therapy once a week, regular medical treatment and a prohibition of slandering his victims.

The prosecution firmly opposes both the rehabilitation plan as well as Katzav's release.

At the present time, noted Channel 10 News, it remains unclear what the odds are that Katzav will indeed be released next week and this depends, among other things, on his agreement to fully cooperate with the rehabilitation program.

The court recently decided to resend Katzav's file to the parole board. Separately, Katzav in May officially submitted a new request for clemency to President Reuven Rivlin.

The request was submitted following reports that President Rivlin is seriously considering releasing Katzav early due to concerns over his rapidly declining health. A clemency will mean convicted rapist Katzav will be freed from prison on compassionate grounds, but would not annul his actual conviction.