Katsav in court
Photo: EPA
Katsav sentence to be read publicly
Judges concede to press agencies' demand to read sentence handed to former president, convicted of rape, in open court. However, sentencing hearing will be held behind closed doors to protect complainants
Judges deciding the case of former President Moshe Katsav, who was convicted of rape charges recently, said Monday that his sentence would be pronounced publicly but that the sentencing hearing would take place behind closed doors.
The judges made the announcement following an appeal from the press.
Katsav Trial
Ynet reporters
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After the sentence is given, the judges say, they will clear for publication most of Katsav's testimony in order to "give a clearer picture reflecting the testimony as it was voiced during the trial".
They explained that the sentencing hearing would not be made public, despite the fact that the prosecution was not opposed to the move, in order to protect the complainants in the case.
The judges say that the offer to close off the hearing only when the complainant is present "is unpractical and does not promise full defense from invasion of the complainants' privacy and the exposure of their
identities. A simple mistake or slip of the tongue… may severely harm one of the complainants."
The complainants' testimonies will not be cleared for publication either, the judges say. However the testimonies of other witnesses will be cleared after the sentencing process is finished.
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