Last update - 00:00 06/09/2006
Katsav questioned on alleged sexual abuse of several women
By Jonathan Lis, Haaretz Correspondent
Police questioned President Moshe Katsav for several hours on Wednesday, as the investigation continues into his alleged sexual abuse of his ex-employee.
In a third round of questioning, held in the president's office in Jerusalem, police questioned Katsav on the complaints and testimony of other women, who claim the president sexually abused them.
Police quizzed Katsav on a second complaint by a former employee, who worked for him during his tenure as a cabinet minister.
In addition, the president was questioned on several complaints made by women who worked for Katsav in the past. However, the president will not be tried for these alleged attacks, because the events occured too long ago for them to be prosecuted according to the law.
On Wednesday, the president was presented with new material, which he had never seen before. Police will continue the investigation on Thursday.
The second complainant told police a few days ago that Katsav had sexually harassed her repeatedly and that the president had tried to touch her inappropriately while she was working for him a few years ago.
Haaretz has learned that police have recently reached several women who used to work for Katsav and may have been sexually harassed or abused by the president. Shortly after police launched the investigation into the affair, Haaretz revealed the testimony of several women who say they have been sexually abused by Katsav.
The president is suspected of having raped the first complainant in the affair, his former employee, dubbed "A."
A. gave a second statement to police on Tuesday, saying the president had forced her to engage in sexual intercourse, threatenning her both verbally and physically. According to the complainant, Katsav had raped her at least twice.
On Tuesday, police presented A. with statements made by the president last week, in which he denied having any sexual relations with his former employee.
The investigators did not ask A. to confront Katsav, though she had recently announced that she would be willing to do so, and Katsav had said he would not object to such a move.