MOSCOW - Russia's President Vladimir Putin said on Wedesday he believed allegations of wrongdoing against President Moshe Katsav and Prime Minister Ehud Olmert were politically motivated.

Putin was drawn into the furore around rape allegations against Katsav after reporters overheard him joking about the case at a Kremlin meeting last week with Olmert.

"It is linked in my view, and in the view of many experts, to the fact that a large part of Israeli society is unhappy with the actions of their leaders in the Lebanon conflict," Putin said in a televized question-and-answer session.

	Advertisement

"Many people see it as a defeat and start all these attacks, through the prosecutors and the police."

Unaware a microphone was switched on as he began talks with Olmert last week, Putin was overheard by reporters calling Katsav a "mighty guy" and praising his virility.

Police say they have evidence Katsav raped women who worked for him. He denies the charges.

Commenting on the remarks for the first time, Putin confirmed he had spoken on that subject but also stressed that he condemned any form of sexual harassment.

A former KGB spy, Putin said it was "bad form" of the reporters to eavesdrop on his conversation with Olmert as they were being ushered out of the room.