High Court appeal demands annulment of Katsav plea bargain

The Movement for Quality Government and a number of women’s rights groups lodged Sunday an appeal with the High Court of Justice demanding the annulment of the plea bargain signed with suspended president Moshe Katsav on grounds that it is “extremely unreasonable”.

The groups are demanding that the court issue an injunction to prevent a hearing at the Jerusalem Magistrates Court later in the day in which a date for Katsav to appear before a judge to plead guilty to the sexual assault charges attributed to him in the plea deal is expected to be set.

Katsav’s resignation went into effect at 11:02 am. Knesset Speaker Dalia Itzik has assumed the post until Shimon Peres take office on July 15.

Some of the demonstrators who took part in last night’s rally carried signs reading "Katsav to jail", "There is no light rape" and "a sex offender ruling the country." Some called on Attorney General Menachem Mazuz to resign.

At the end of the rally, hundreds of demonstrators blocked Ibn Gvirol Street. They were evacuated by the police and some were arrested.

Education Minister Yuli Tamir told Ynet before the rally, "I think this is insolence. What is happening here is severe. We call for a court hearing so that the court can decide.”

Meanwhile, the Knesset Finance Committee is mulling whether it has the power to strip Katsav of his retirement benefits.

MKs are concerned that Katsav would be entitled to government-paid secretaries after his retirement.

"Paying Katsav for secretaries is adding insult to injury," said Meretz chairwoman Zahava Gal-On.

Retired presidents are entitled to a monthly salary, free health insurance, a car and a chauffeur, an office and a secretary.