FORMER ISRAELI president Moshe Katsav vowed yesterday to fight to clear his name as he was indicted in the Tel Aviv district court on rape charges.
Mr Katsav entered a plea of “not guilty” after being charged with two counts of rape and an indecent act against a female aide when he was tourism minister, the sexual harassment of two other aides while president, and obstruction of justice.
The charges carry a maximum term of 16 years in prison.
Speaking to journalists as he entered court, the former president said he was determined to prove his innocence.
“We are setting out on a long, hard struggle to clear my name. I promise once more that, God willing, I shall remain innocent.
“A year ago, I decided to reject a plea bargain,” Mr Katsav said. “I did this in order to fight for my innocence. I am here today by my own choice.”
Outside the courtroom, a group of women held a noisy protest chanting “Katsav to prison now”. The demonstrators wore T-shirts with the slogan “We are all complainant A”, as the aide from the tourism ministry who pressed rape charges is known in court.
Mr Katsav resigned from the largely ceremonial position of president two weeks before his seven-year term ended in 2007 under a plea bargain that would have required him to admit to lesser charges of sexual misconduct.
Last year, in a dramatic U-turn, Mr Katsav called off the controversial deal that was condemned by women’s organisations, electing to stand trial.
He was replaced as president by Shimon Peres.
The court ruled yesterday that Mr Katsav’s lawyers will have 30 days to present a detailed response to the indictment, and the trial will resume after summer recess on September 1st, with sessions taking place four days a week.
The case has aroused massive media attention and has been dubbed “Israel’s trial of the century”. The court has still to rule on a request from the prosecution to hold the proceedings behind closed doors.
Mr Katsav has maintained his innocence throughout, claiming he was the victim of a political witch-hunt.
In a dramatic live news conference in January 2007, the former president lashed out at the political, judicial and law enforcement agencies, and, above all, at the media for “leading a brainwashing campaign” to bring about his downfall.
Some of the protesters outside the courtroom yesterday noted that no fewer than 10 women had come forward with various complaints against Mr Katsav, arguing that a clear pattern emerged of a repeat sexual offender.
But most of the complaints were rejected by the court for a variety of reasons.
The defence legal team, which includes some of Israel’s top lawyers, were confident that they can highlight enough inconsistencies in the complainants’ testimonies to ensure a “not guilty” verdict.