Last update - 00:00 19/01/2007
Mazuz expected to announce decision on Katsav indictment
By Yuval Yoaz, Haaretz Correspondent
Attorney General Menachem Mazuz is expected to announce his decision on indicting President Moshe Katsav within the next few days, despite reservations by the Jerusalem district attorney.
District Attorney Eli Abarbanel thinks there is not enough evidence to press charges in at least some of the 14 cases against Katsav. Mazuz and State Prosecutor Eran Shendar disagree.
The controversy delayed Mazuz's announcement, which the attorney general had planned to deliver a month and a half ago.
Since the police recommended Katsav be indicted for sexual offenses including rape, the attorney general's senior staff has held eight meetings to debate the case. The team, which includes Mazuz, Shendar, Abarbanel and other attorneys, analyzed the legal implications of the evidence and discussed how the public would view decisions concerning the indictment.
The Justice Ministry said in a statement, "It is out of place to comment on every irresponsible report or speculation on this delicate and complicated case before the decision-making process has been completed."
The Justice Ministry is expecting a verdict in the trial of former justice minister Haim Ramon, who was charged with forcibly kissing a soldier, to be issued in less than two weeks.
Mazuz said he believes the chances of a conviction are no more than 50 percent, which is usually the situation in "he said-she said" sexual offense cases.
"In cases of this kind, when the complainant's testimony is consistent and considered reliable, and is corroborated by other testimonies, it is inevitable to press charges and let the court decide on the matter," Mazuz said.