Katsav affair: Alleged evidence for 3 indictments

President's investigators present attorney general, state prosecutor with main findings in sexual harassment, pardoning affair. Investigation currently at its final stages; team of attorneys to start reviewing evidence. Source involved in investigation: There will be no other option but to indict president on suspicion of sex offenses

Efrat Weiss|Last update: 09.20.06 , 00:27

Following a meeting between Attorney General Menachem Mazuz and the team of investigators engaged in the President Katsav affair, Justice Ministry officials said Tuesday evening that "the affair has reached its final stages."

During the discussion, which was held at Mazuz's office, the investigating team presented the evidence collected so far during the investigation and elaborated on the steps needed to be taken in order to complete it.

The investigators presented Mazuz and State Prosecutor Eran Shendar with the evidence and findings in each of the affairs – the sexual harassments and the pardons. Mazuz and Shendar instructed the team to complete the investigation as soon as possible.

The president is not expected to be interrogated again, and a confrontation between complainant A. and Katsav is also not on the agenda. The presidents is also not expected to undergo a polygraph test.

The parties also agreed that while the investigation is being completed, the team of attorneys will start examining and evaluating the evidence collected so far before coming up with recommendations and decisions on the case.

Investigation team leaves President's Residence (Photo: Yoav Galai)

The investigation, which is in its final stages, is expected to last a few more weeks. Sources involved in the investigation told Ynet on Tuesday evening that "according to the current situation, there will be no other option but to indict the president on suspicion of sex offenses."

A source added that "it appears that there is evidence for another two indictments on the issue of pardoning and on the issue of breach of trust and wire-tapping."

However, the sources noted that the investigation regarding the last two issues must be completed in order to reinforce the findings.

Mazuz: I don't believe this is libel

Mazuz met with the investigating team after the latter met separately with Shendar. During the meeting, the team of investigators updated the attorney general on the president's investigation on suspicion of committing sexual offenses against seven women. The team also briefed Mazuz on the president's investigation on the issue of pardons.

On Monday, the attorney general addressed the affair and the president's claims of a libel against him.

Mazuz told Channel 10: "I saw no basis to this claim, this is a claim which those interrogated usually voice."

According to the attorney general, "there are exceptional cases of libels, but this is not my impression in this case. With a not such a short series of complainants, I don’t believe this is the case."

Mazuz also referred to the trial of former Justice Minister Haim Ramon: "I suggest that we don’t belittle this. Every person should think about his daughter, his wife or his sister. Does he want to live in a state in which a minister treats a female soldier in such a manner?"