In light of unconfirmed reports that he will be indicted, and following threats by several MKs that they will walk out on or otherwise protest his appearance in the Knesset today, President Moshe Katzav has decided to absent himself from the event. He was to have shown up at 4 PM for the opening of the Knesset's winter session.
After senior police investigators met Sunday with Attorney General Menachem Mazuz, reports were rife that police are recommending a multi-count criminal indictment against the President. Police are reported to believe the evidence against the president is strong enough to stand up in court in five cases of sexual assault and related charges. It is also reported, but not confirmed, that the police have recommended indictment on charges of illegal eavesdropping, breach of trust and other criminal activities.
After the meeting, a joint announcement by the Justice Ministry and the police indicated, for the first time, that some evidence has been found regarding suspicions against Katzav of harassing a witness and obstruction of justice. "The investigation in this matter is not yet complete," the announcement stated.
The President's attorney, Tzion Amir, said that the police have often recommended indictments against political figures that led to acquittals. "I am convinced that this will be the case in this instance as well," he said.
The evidence is already being reviewed by the Jerusalem District Prosecution office, which is to submit its recommendations within several weeks to Attorney General Mazuz and State Prosecutor Eran Shendar.
The reports of a likely indictment have led to increased calls that Mr. Katzav resign from office or at least suspend himself. Other MKs refuse to judge Katzav. "I cannot hand down a ruling myself," said Esterina Tartman of Yisrael Beiteinu. "I will let the court do that."
MK Nissim Ze'ev (Shas), in an article for Ynet today, writes that the women who are now complaining did not do so at the time, and that the President has fallen victim to a concerted frame-up and blood-letting effort. "The President has continued to insist that he is innocent throughout this period," Ze'ev writes. "He repeatedly laments the injustice that was done to him, beginning from the very day that the complainant A. came to him with her blackmail demands that were documented by him on tape - and which forced him to file a complaint on his own. If her complaints had some basis, it is likely that the President would not have turned and filed his initial complaint. He therefore feels that he is being persecuted by a media and administrative lynch, but is willing to fight for his innocence."
It is not clear at this point whether A. will be put on trial for attempting to blackmail the President.
A friend of Katzav, Atty. Amnon Shomron, said, "As far as I know, there are three women who have complained against him [and not 10-11 as continually reported in the press], and all three of them wanted to continue working with him. None of them complained on their own, but rather the police sought them out. One of them - the one involved with the rape charges - even returned to the President's home last year and wished to have her picture taken with him."
Aides to Mr. Katzav have recently indicated that if the president is indicted, he will step down rather than face the embarrassment of being ousted from office by a Knesset vote. A three-quarters majority of the Knesset - 90 MKs - is required in order to oust a sitting President.
After senior police investigators met Sunday with Attorney General Menachem Mazuz, reports were rife that police are recommending a multi-count criminal indictment against the President. Police are reported to believe the evidence against the president is strong enough to stand up in court in five cases of sexual assault and related charges. It is also reported, but not confirmed, that the police have recommended indictment on charges of illegal eavesdropping, breach of trust and other criminal activities.
After the meeting, a joint announcement by the Justice Ministry and the police indicated, for the first time, that some evidence has been found regarding suspicions against Katzav of harassing a witness and obstruction of justice. "The investigation in this matter is not yet complete," the announcement stated.
The President's attorney, Tzion Amir, said that the police have often recommended indictments against political figures that led to acquittals. "I am convinced that this will be the case in this instance as well," he said.
The evidence is already being reviewed by the Jerusalem District Prosecution office, which is to submit its recommendations within several weeks to Attorney General Mazuz and State Prosecutor Eran Shendar.
The reports of a likely indictment have led to increased calls that Mr. Katzav resign from office or at least suspend himself. Other MKs refuse to judge Katzav. "I cannot hand down a ruling myself," said Esterina Tartman of Yisrael Beiteinu. "I will let the court do that."
MK Nissim Ze'ev (Shas), in an article for Ynet today, writes that the women who are now complaining did not do so at the time, and that the President has fallen victim to a concerted frame-up and blood-letting effort. "The President has continued to insist that he is innocent throughout this period," Ze'ev writes. "He repeatedly laments the injustice that was done to him, beginning from the very day that the complainant A. came to him with her blackmail demands that were documented by him on tape - and which forced him to file a complaint on his own. If her complaints had some basis, it is likely that the President would not have turned and filed his initial complaint. He therefore feels that he is being persecuted by a media and administrative lynch, but is willing to fight for his innocence."
It is not clear at this point whether A. will be put on trial for attempting to blackmail the President.
A friend of Katzav, Atty. Amnon Shomron, said, "As far as I know, there are three women who have complained against him [and not 10-11 as continually reported in the press], and all three of them wanted to continue working with him. None of them complained on their own, but rather the police sought them out. One of them - the one involved with the rape charges - even returned to the President's home last year and wished to have her picture taken with him."
Aides to Mr. Katzav have recently indicated that if the president is indicted, he will step down rather than face the embarrassment of being ousted from office by a Knesset vote. A three-quarters majority of the Knesset - 90 MKs - is required in order to oust a sitting President.