Israel's top court backs plea deal in Katsav sex case

0 Comments | AFP, February, 2008

JERUSALEM (AFP) — Israel's Supreme Court accepted on Tuesday a highly controversial deal under which former president Moshe Katsav avoided prosecution for rape but pleaded guilty to lesser charges.

A panel of five judges voted 3-2 to reject petitions to overturn last June's plea bargain, which led to Katsav resigning in disgrace.

The ruling means that Katsav, 62, will avoid any jail time, and instead pay a fine.

Katsav must now appear in court for his formal conviction and sentencing, for which no date has yet been set.

If that court rules that his crimes were "vile," Katsav could lose the comfortable pension, apartment, office, two secretaries and car and driver that he is entitled to as ex-president.

Under the plea bargain, the Iranian-born...