The day after Attorney General Menachem Mazuz decided to issue an indictment for rape and other sexual offenses against Moshe Katsav, the former president discussed his precarious situation with his family in Kiryat Malachi on Monday.
The family has announced that they will hold a press conference on Wednesday after the Purim holiday in which new details will be revealed. "The attorney general has prepared a tree taller than the one evil Haman prepared for Mordechai," said the former president's brother, Lior Katsav, to Ynet referencing the Purim story.
| Indictment |
|
| Kastav to be indicted for rape / Aviad Glickman |
|
Former president to face rape, indecent act, obstruction of justice charges in case involving A. of Tourism Ministry. 'Evidence supports indictment, conviction,' says Justice Ministry. Katsav not surprised by decision, eager to prove his innocence, says aide |
| Full Story |
|
|
|
According to one family member, "The media lynch being carried out and that will continue until the trial makes it very difficult for the family to function, and they have decided to remain silent until Wednesday evening when Katsav will hold a press conference in Kiryat Malachi during which new things will be said that will surprise listeners."
Family members reported that Katsav feels as though a horrible injustice has befallen him. On Monday, he went to synagogue earlier than he usually does and returned to the house of worship in the afternoon to read the Book of Esther with worshippers. Lior Katsav recounted that the family was "in total shock" Sunday, and that from time to time family members would bring sandwiches back home because "no one even had it in him to prepare food."
In conversations with family members, Katsav has repeatedly claimed that the charges being brought against him are false. His wife, Gila, is standing by his side, and believes his side of the story.
The family plans on celebrating the Purim holiday according to tradition despite the trying times they are experiencing.
Attorney Zion Amir, for Katsav said that the former president was stunned by the decision. "We were sure the case was about to be closed, just as senior attorneys in the State Prosecutor's Office and in the Attorney General's Office saw fit to do.
"This is a hard decision to accept, especially given the AG's repetitive statements about the problematic nature of the case and the contradictions found in the evidence and statements… The (prosecution's) notion that the case may end up in a resonating acquittal only adds to the questions surrounding this decision."
Ronen Zur, Katsav's communications director, offered the following statement: "The attorney general's decision did not come as a surprise to anyone. Moshe Katsav was well aware of the possible consequences when he decided to renege on his plea bargain and he now welcomes the opportunity to prove his innocence in a court of law.
"This is an unprecedented decision in which the attorney general is pursuing an indictment when he himself is unsure of the person's guilt and when he knows that the evidence does not support such an indictment. The AG has thus evaded making a brave decision, giving in to the public's demands instead."
On reopening the case, the State Prosecutor's Office said, "The final decision on the indictment was made after the attorney general and the state prosecutor both came to the clear conclusion that there was sufficient evidence to support a criminal indictment and secure a conviction."
RSS
