Last update - 00:00 17/04/2007
Katsav to seek extension of temporary suspension
By Yuval Yoaz, Haaretz Correspondent
Moshe Katzav, who suspended himself as president pending possible rape charges, on Wednesday will request that the Knesset House Committee extend his temporary incapacitation until the attorney general makes a final decision on whether to indict Katsav.
Katsav and his attorney arrived at the decision Tuesday evening at a meeting held in the office of Attorney Avigdor Feldman in Tel Aviv.
The decision was based on the fact the Katsav has already been on a leave of absence for three months, and it may be difficult to announce his return to office with the date of his hearing so close.
Nonetheless, his attorneys, Feldman and Zion Amir, say that they began to reconsider asking to extend Katsav's leave of absence after they received the investigation materials form the prosecution. They said that ha they received the materials prior to Katsav's original request to suspend himself, they would have recommended the president not to issue the request.
Katsav had not intended to decide whether he plans to re-assume the presidency in time for Independence Day celebrations before the High Court deliberation on Sunday on whether Katsav can view all of the investigation materials against him.
But following the disclosure in Haaretz Tuesday morning of Katsav's consideration to end the temporary Incapacitation, Katzav announced that he would reach his decision during a meeting with his defense attorneys on Tuesday evening.
Attorney General Menachem Mazuz is scheduled to hold a hearing with Katsav's attorneys on May 2 and to decide up to two weeks thereafter whether or not to issue an indictment.
By law, if Katsav does not make a formal request to extend his suspension, he will automatically re-assume the presidency.
Had Katsav decided to return in full to the presidency, he would have been entitled to return to the President's Residence, which would put him into contact with employees who made depositions, or even swore out complaints, against him. He would also have been able to grant pardons or clemency to convicted criminals and to receive the credentials of foreign diplomats.
The attorney general wants an extension of Katsav's suspension, in order to prevent him from acting as president in the meantime. Until now, there was no doubt about Katsav's intention to request an extension.
Traditionally, the president plays a significant role in Israel's Independence Day celebrations, holding a reception for the foreign diplomatic corps and awarding military decorations. On the morning of Independence Day, the president attends the World Bible Quiz and in the evening participates in the Israel Prize awards ceremony. Acting President Dalia Itzik is currently scheduled to fulfill the president's role in these events.
Last November Katsav's attorney at the time, Prof. David Libai, promised the High Court on behalf of his client that if Mazuz were to decide in principle to indict Katsav the president would request temporary incapacitation and if the decision were confirmed, Katsav would resign. On January 23, however, Katsav asked the Knesset House Committee to approve his temporary incapacitation. Temporary incapacitation lasts for three months and can be renewed by the committee.