Two complainants: President Moshe Katsav was interrogated by police investigators Wednesday at his official Jerusalem residence for the third time – and, for the first time, heard about additional sexual harassment allegations brought against him by an additional woman.
The second complainant, whose name is also A, like the original complainant, brought sexual harassment charges against the president, from a different time in his public career. A team of investigators, led by police brigadier general Yoav Segalovich, arrived at the President's Residence and questioned Katsav regarding his relationship with the two complainants.
The investigation lasted seven hours, but did not include questions about suspicions that the president had granted amnesties in exchange for payments. The questioning is anticipated to continue on Thursday, and most likely into next week as well.
Investigators did not raise the possibility that the president would be given a polygraph test or would be required to confront the complainants. The use of either of these methods of examination will be reassessed by police if the need arises.
The president continues to deny the allegations. However, it appears that, at this stage, police believe that complainant A's version of events is accurate. If nothing changes during the investigation, it seems that police will have no alternative but to recommend the president be brought to trail. It is important to remember, though, that the investigation is still in its preliminary phases and is expected to continue for months.
Complainant's version
On Tuesday, the original complainant A. was interrogated for close to 10 hours on the affair; she continued to claim that the president had forcible sexual relations with her. President Katsav, for his part, claims that A. tried to blackmail him.
But, as aforementioned, complainant A. is not alone: A senior Israel Police official told Ynet that a number of fresh complaints that have been filed against Katsav are being investigated.
Prior to the interrogations police reported that the computers and documents from Katsav's residence had been impounded in order to check if he corresponded with the complainant. However, the President's Residence reported: "Contrary to reports, the president doesn't have a personal computer and he doesn't correspond with anyone by email."
Meanwhile, the President’s Residence staff is trying to broadcast “business as usual,” but Katsav will apparently not take part in a number of upcoming events, such as the swearing in of the new Supreme Court Justice. President Katsav's wife Gila said Monday “I have no doubt his innocence will come out.”
First published: 09:12, 09.06.6