Katsav asks Rivlin: 'Lift my restrictions'
Six months after completing his sentence for sexual offenses, former president and convicted rapist appealed to the incumbent President Reuven Rivlin to cancel a series of restrictions imposed on him; Katsav seeks, among other things, to cancel the nightly house arrest and the prohibition against his leaving the country.
Convicted rapist and former President Moshe Katsav has asked President Reuven Rivlin to cancel the restrictive conditions imposed on him since his release from prison last December.
In an appeal filed by Katsav's lawyer, the former president seeks to cancel his overnight house arrest, cancel a ban on his leaving Israel, and allow him a daily visit to Torah study center. Katsav asks that Rivlin consider the age and good opinion of the Israel Prison Service noted in his case.
Katsav served five years in prison for rape and other sexual offenses. He turned to the Israel Prison Service last March in a request to cancel his nightly detention order as part of the conditions for his early release. However, the police refused the request on the grounds that the former president is still considered a licensed prisoner and is therefore no different from other prisoners. The parole board determined that Katsav's terms of release would remain as they are, after which he appealed to President Rivlin.
Katsav's request to the parole board was submitted following an opinion by the Prisoner Rehabilitation Authority, which stated that Katsav has thus far complied with the conditions of hisearly release.
Katsav was sentenced to seven years in prison, but spent only five behind bars prior to his early release. He will be considered a licensed prisoner until two years after his release.
