President Moshe Katsav's senior attorney, former Justice Minister Professor David Libai, announced Sunday that he is resigning his post as the president's defense counsel.
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| Katsav charged with rape / Aviram Zino |
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Attorney General Mazuz decides to file indictment Tuesday afternoon against president; Katsav's lawyer convinced A-G will reverse decision |
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Following a conversation between Libai and Katsav, the president's office issued a statement saying that the two "agreed Katsav will not longer be represented by Attorney Libai."
"The decision was made a week ago, before Attorney Libai was presented with the investigation material," the statement continued.
It was also reported that Libai will be replaced in the coming days by another lawyer, and that Prof. Libai will continue to assist President Katsav and his counsels if necessary.
Libai's resignation "will not weaken (the president's) struggle and his determination to reveal the truth and his innocence," the statement concluded.
Two weeks ago, Attorney General Menachem Mazuz filed his recommendation to indict Katsav with a series of sexual offenses, including rape.
The report of Libai's resignation comes at a very sensitive timing for the president. A hearing into the affair is set to take place in the coming weeks, following which the attorney general will make his final decision regarding the indictment.
The president's attorneys, Amir and Libai, have received the evidence material in recent days and have begun preparing their arguments for the hearing.
With Libai no longer on the case, Amir will be forced to handle the task alone, although another lawyer may join the president's defense team.
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