Israel's president Moshe Katsav is to be charged with rape and other crimes against female employees, the Justice Ministry said today.
Mr Katsav has denied any wrongdoing, claiming he is the victim of a conspiracy by political enemies.
The case would be an unprecedented indictment against an Israeli head of state. 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 facieevidence to indict the president," the Justice Ministry said in a statement.
The scandal broke 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.
Attorney-General Meni Mazuz's office issued a statement saying that it had collected enough evidence to support an indictment against Mr Katsav on charges of rape, harassment, abuse of power and obstruction of justice, among other crimes. He declined to recommend that Mr Katsav be charged with wire tapping and selling pardons.
In the statement, Mr 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".
While serving as president, Mr Katsav enjoys immunity and can be put on trial only if he is impeached by parliament. He has said he would suspend himself from office if indicted. Mr Katsav has been president since 2000 and is due to stand down in July.
Asked on Israeli television if Mr Katsav intended to resign, his lawyer, Sharon Nahari, said: "I think it is too early to say. What is important is that this is a very difficult day for Israel. We hope all will become clear after the hearing."
Agencies