Katsav leaves prison to attend son's wedding

Former President Moshe Katsav serving a seven-year sentence for rape has left prison for the first time in five and a half months to attend his son Noam's wedding.  

Police granted his request and extended his seven-hour leave to 8.5 hours.

Katsav and wife Gila at the events hall (Photo: Moti Kimhi)

In a video from the wedding he is seen dancing on the dance floor.

"His presence at the wedding was very moving," a close associated of Katsav said. "All his old friends showed up and he was surrounded by many people. He is very excited. He smiled like any father who marries his son off," former MK David Mena said.

Katsav dancing in son's wedding

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Mena added that the former president did not share his experiences from prison but rather focused on his son and family. "I just asked about his general wellbeing. He seemed to have lost a lot of weight in prison, but he seems fine."

Katsav and his new daughter-in-law Orly (Photo: Moti Kimhi)

Kastav left the Maasiyahu Prison dressed in a suit. Asked how he was feeling, he said "fine" but refused to answer any other questions from reporters. He was met outside the prison gates by his two brothers and his wife Gila and the group traveled together to Moshav Beit Oved where the wedding is being held.  

Katsav leaving Maasiyahu Prison (Photo: Yaron Brener)

The former president placed bond in order to leave the jail. His leave was made possible after a mental health committee deemed he was not a danger to society and the police gave its consent.  

A seven-hour leave (Photo: Yaron Brener)

Earlier this month, Katsav agreed to wear a prisoner's uniform for the first time in order to attend a meeting with a Health Ministry psychiatrist and his daughter, Attorney Dganit Amitai in which his request to leave the prison for his son's wedding was discussed.

Last week, the Supreme Court denied his motion to hold an additional hearing on his case, rendering his final attempt to have his sentence reduced a failure.

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