Moshe Katzav
Moshe KatzavKobi Gideon/Flash 90

The Parole Board of the Israel Prison Service will announce on Thursday its decision regarding the early release of former president Moshe Katzav, who is serving out a seven-year jail term for two counts of rape.

Reports a few weeks ago indicated that the Prisoner Rehabilitation Authority is recommending that Katzav be released from prison subject to the implementation of a rehabilitation plan.

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

Channel 2 News on Wednesday evening published the details of a recent conversation between Katzav and his associates in which the former president expressed optimism regarding the release.

"I'm optimistic that I will be set free, and hope to return to a quiet life with my family and friends - away from the public eye," he was quoted as having said.

"I went through a decade of suffering. I hope to be left alone to live the rest of my life away from the public eye," the former president added, according to Channel 2 News.

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.