Katsav going on furlough
צילום: גדי קבלו, "ידיעות אחרונות"
State Attorney to object to parole request of former president Katsav
After serving two-thirds of his prison sentence, the former president, who was convicted of rape and obstruction of justice, seeks early release on good behavior, despite never expressing remorse or admitting culpability.
Former Israeli president Moshe Katsav has asked to be released for good behavior after having served two-thirds of his prison sentence, but the State Attorney is expected to raise an objection to the parole request.
Katsav, who was convicted of two counts of rape, obstruction of justice, and other charges, was sentenced to seven years in prison. He started serving his time on December 7, 2011.
The Israel Prisons Service's (IPS) Parole Commission is expected to discuss Katsav's request at the end of this month.
The State Attorney's objection stems from the fact Katsav has never admitted culpability nor has he expressed remorse for his actions. Additionally, the former president did not undergo rehabilitative treatment for sex offenders in prison.
Former president Katsav going on furlough (Photo: Shahar Hai) (צילום: שחר חי)
However, Katsav apparently meets other criteria for early release. Yedioth Ahronoth has learned that the IPS health center had determined that Katsav does not pose a danger to the public. Other factors in his favor are the fact he displayed good behavior in prison, his advanced age, and the fact he was publicly denounced and went from the highest position in the country to that of a sex offender behind bars.
Katsav's victims will be able to express their position on the issue in writing to the Parole Commission.
On Friday, Channel 10 reported that if the Parole Commission decides to reject Katsav's request for early release, Justice Minister Ayelet Shaked and President Reuven Rivlin are expected to support granting Katsav a pardon.
According to the Channel 10 report, Shaked said in private conversations that "there is no reason for the Parole Commission not to release former president Katsav, he meets the criteria."
However, both Shaked's office and the President's Residence issued statements denying that they are deliberating granting Katsav a pardon.
"President Reuven Rivlin did not express support to pardoning Moshe Katsav. The president will deliberate on the issue and formulate his opinion if and when he is required to do so," Rivlin's office said.
Shaked's office said that "the justice minister did not receive a request for pardon on behalf of Katsav, and does not deliberate pardon requests while a prisoner is about to come before the Parole Commission."
So far, all justice ministers have rejected pardon requests submitted by the Katsav family because the former president did not express remorse for his actions.
