Former secretary
Photo: Yoav Galai
President Moshe Katsav
Photo: Atta Iwaisat
Mazuz asks Katsav for evidence on blackmail
Attorney General says he met with President Moshe Katsav who presented him with chronology of events related to blackmail affair; Katsav states he didn't press charges against former secretary over blackmail, threats
Attorney General Menachem Mazuz commented for the first time on Sunday on the affair of the complaint that was reportedly submitted by President Moshe Katsav regarding blackmails and threats he received.
Affair
Aviram Zino
Channel 2 reported Israeli president complains to Attorney General: woman claims sexual harassment, threatens to blackmail. President denies report, says did not lodge any complaint
"Last Wednesday I met with the president and he presented the development of events related to the former employee at the Presidential residency," Mazuz said.
"The President said the developments are documented, but stressed that it is not a criminal complaint. Toward the end of the meeting he gave me a letter which included the principle of things. After checking the letter and holding consultations I addressed a letter to the President asking for all the documentation. After receiving it and examining it a decision will be taken about the course of action," he added.
On Saturday, Channel 2 reported that in the frame of a complaint submitted by Katsav to Mazuz it was argued that a woman, whose identity was not disclosed, accused him of sexual harassment and indecent assault.
The Justice Ministry refused to comment on the affair, despite Ynet's inquiry, and the police said that no complaints were filed – neither by the President nor by another side, neither for sexual harassment nor for blackmail and threats.
A statement issued by the presidential residency said the report was false. "The President has not submitted a complaint for blackmail," Katsav's spokeswoman said.
