BICOM

Former Israeli President Moshe Katzav was sentenced today to seven years imprisonment.  The sentence was imposed following his conviction for two counts of rape, sexual harassment, committing an indecent act while using force, witness harassment and obstruction of justice. The announcement was made this morning at the Tel Aviv District Court. The court also ordered Katsav to pay NIS 100,000 and NIS 25,000 to two of his victims.  Judges George Karra, Miriam Sokolov and Judith Shevach presided over the announcement of the sentencing.  Judge Karra said that, “The defendant is a symbol. The fact that Katsav committed the acts while serving in a high-ranking post is reason to judge him severely.”  Legal experts quoted in the Israeli media consider that Katzav is likely to spend between four and seven years in jail. Katzav now has 45 days to appeal to the Supreme Court, should he choose to do so.  However, this woud not delay the start of his sentence.