The lawyers of President Moshe Katsav are considering waiving the hearing scheduled for next month with Attorney General Menachem Mazuz, following his decision to add a second rape count to the suspended president's indictment.
Attorney Zion Amir told Ynet on Sunday evening, "We are considering whether to show up for the hearing or not, in light of the recent developments."
| Mazuz's Decision |
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| Katsav to be indicted on second rape count / Aviram Zino |
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Attorney General's Office says president faces new rape indictment following fresh rape complaints by former worker |
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"Therefore we shall consider whether to show up for the hearing, as we believe that the State Prosecutor's Office has already made its clear opinion known and is not willing to be open and listen to the president's version, which is supported by substantial evidence."
The Attorney General's Office said on Sunday that Katsav would be indicted on a second rape count after a former employee filed a new complaint of sexual harassment against him with the police.
Police questioned
Katsav last week after one of his former employees, during his tenure as tourism minister, known as A., submitted fresh evidence that he had raped her on more than one count.
The complaint came in the midst of Katsav's appeal to the attorney general to reverse his decision to indict him on rape charges.
Katsav's lawyers said the new complaint marked the fourth time that A. changed her testimony. Aides to the president expressed their surprise and anger over the attorney general's decision.
"The police questioned the president for less than an hour, and it took the State Prosecutor's Office less than a day to make such a serious decision. These data testify to the seriousness of the matter," an associate said.
The attorney general said two months ago that he had decided to indict Katsav on charges of rape and wire-tapping.
The filing of the indictment was delayed to give Katsav's lawyers more time to appeal Mazuz's decision.
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