Convicted rapist Moshe Katsav
Photo: Avi Moalem
Parole board discusses Katsav's early release request for third time
The former president, convicted of rape, will once again seek an early release, with lawyer citing successful treatment he underwent in prison; State Attorney opposes request, saying Katsav has yet to take responsibility for his actions or apologize to his victims.
After five years in prison, former president Moshe Katsav, a convicted rapist, faced the parole board for the third time on Sunday, once again asking for early release. The board decided to postpone the decision until December 18.
Katsav, 72, is currently serving a seven-year prison sentence for rape and indecent acts. However, he has continually refused to admit to his crimes and has never expressed regret to his victims.
The disgraced former president's lawyer Shani Illouz claimed that "Since the last hearing, the former president successfully underwent treatment in prison, as the members of the parole board recommended to him. I think all of the conditions for early release have been met."
Katsav going on furlough (Photo: Avi Mualem)
Family members claimed that "He was tarred and feathered. This is persecution and revenge. It's time to let him go home."
Meanwhile, close associates of Katsav said that unlike the previous hearing in June, the former president has been in a good mood over the past week. They defined his state of mind as being "cautiously optimistic."
The Central District Attorney's Office is expected to oppose to the request, but will consider changing its position in six months if Katsav continues his treatments.
So far, both the District Attorney's Office and the parole board have opposed the early release request, claiming Katsav has yet to accept responsibility for his criminal actions and was not going through the common rehabilitation process. Instead, he is participating in a workshop the Israel Prison Service created for "prisoners who deny guilt."
In such a treatment, the treating professionals try to help the prisoner internalize the meaning of his conviction, even though he still denies his crimes and claims to be innocent. This is done in an effort to create awareness and recognition for the prisoners actions.
After a recent meeting on the case, State Attorney Shai Nitzan has determined there was no new data to justify a change in previous decisions and that the treatment that Katsav underwent was insufficient to render him suitable for early release.
In addition, sources in his office said, serious weight must be given to the damage done to Katsav's victims due, inter alia, to his public denials of guilt.
Daniel Sarur, who represents one of Katsav's victims, A. from the Tourism Ministry, said in response that "My client continues to object to Katsav's release. Nothing has changed since the last hearing. Until he asks for forgiveness from his victims, in his own voice, there must be no considerations of early release."
Katsav did say in the past, "I ask for forgiveness and apologize to anyone who was hurt," but failed to admit his actions.
To Katsav's credit is the opinion of the prison's commanders, who say he is a model prisoner with no disciplinary issues and claim the treatment he underwent with social workers in the prison was successful.
The Prisoner Rehabilitation Authority maintains its recommendation to grant Katsav early release. The authority prepared a detailed rehabilitation plan for Katsav to follow upon his release, which includes daily Torah lessons as well as regular meetings with a social worker and a psychologist who will help him reenter society. As part of his rehabilitation, Katsav will have to refrain from defaming his victims.
As Katsav has already served more than two thirds of his seven-year sentence, if his application for parole is granted, he will be immediately released from prison.
