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Last update - 07:53 09/04/2008 Katsav's accusers are ready to face him in court By Roni Singer-Heruti, Haaretz Correspondent Tags: Katsav, sex crimes, Mazuz  "It won't be easy, after all I thought the whole thing was almost over," the woman known as A. from the Tourism Ministry told Haaretz on Tuesday. "But I have one advantage: I have my truth and I intend to go with my truth to the end. I know full well where I am going and I know it will be difficult but I'll take it to the end. I am sure that when the judge hears and sees me, he'll believe me." A.'s complaints against Katsav were the most serious. In drafting the original indictment against him, the state accepted her statement to the police that Katsav had twice raped her when she worked at the Tourism Ministry during his term as minister and forcibly performed an i Advertisement ndecent act on her. These three most serious counts were struck from the indictment later reached in the plea bargain; it charged Katsav with performing an indecent act - the embrace with A. - "while exploiting the employer-employee relationship." In light of Katsav's rejection Tuesday of the plea bargain, the state could choose to restore the rape charge. A. is having trouble coping with the fact that the same state attorneys who in recent months have done everything possible, before the High Court of Justice, to prove that her testimony was full of contradictions, in order to justify the reduced charges, will now be responsible for defending her accusations in court. The other complainant known as A., from the President's Residence, was not part of the plea bargain. She told police that Katsav had raped her. In the draft indictment, her complaints turned into prohibited sexual relations that exploited the employer-employee relationship. In the end, these charges were removed from the charge sheet. A.'s distress over the decision led her to petition the High Court of Justice over it. Attorney General Menachem Mazuz and his people set out in detailed fashion, in the confidential section of the state's response to the High Court, their reasons for concluding that A.'s testimony was not credible. And now, after Katsav has withdrawn from the plea bargain, it is not inconceivable that A. will once again be the star witness. Media adviser Nissim Douek yesterday issued a response on behalf of A.: "A. expressed her joy at the decision. However, we recently announced that we intend to pursue our case against Katsav in civil court, and therefore one way or another Katsav will stand trial for his relations with A. Now the possibility of a criminal trial has been reopened but that does not change the path that she recently chose and may even expedite it." The accusations of a third woman, L. from the President's Residence, were included in the plea-bargain indictment as an embrace by Katsav. In the past L. expressed satisfaction with the plea bargain, as it showed that prosecution believed her and saved her the necessity of testifying in court. But now she will be unable to avoid a court appearance. "It certainly won't be an enjoyable experience for her but she definitely will testify. It's not the end of the world for someone who tells the truth, even if it is an unpleasant experience, and for that reason Katsav absolutely did not ruin her day when he announced his rejection of the plea bargain," L.'s attorney, Zecharia Schenkolewski, said on behalf of his client. The rejection of the plea bargain could bring into play the additional women who came forth to accuse Katsav of sexual misconduct but whose statements were not included in the indictment, due to the statute of limitations. There is a good chance that some of them will be ordered to testify in court in order to establish the pattern of Katsav's behavior, even if the offenses cannot be prosecuted. One of these women is A. from the Transportation Ministry, whose description of alleged indecent acts performed on her by Katsav was considered highly credible by the police and the State Prosecutor's Office. Related articles: Prosecution: Katsav may be charged with rape Katsav accuser: President turned me into sex slave Source: High Court shouldn't cancel Katsav plea bargain Bookmark to del.icio.us   Falk's folly Israel will refuse entry to the UN's Richard Falk for equating Israel to Nazi Germany. Peace when? After 30 years, the public has adopted Peace Now's views, but peace is still elusive.

Today Online Bradley Burston: I want the Palestinians to win Responses: 218 Evangelist to Yoffie: 'I'm not trying to undermine peace' Responses: 152 Moshe Arens: Making Palestine Judenrein Responses: 155 Vice PM: Ofra settlement homes built on private Palestinian land Responses: 125 Barghouti peace overture to be read at Peace Now rally Responses: 118 Rosner's Domain Guest: "Enough with occupation guilt; Gaza isn't Auschwitz" Shut Up, I'm Talking! a dialogue Pastor Hagee vs. rabbi Yoffie, round two Poll: Yoffie or Hagee - you can vote! Rice for Vice? (WTR) More Headlines 03:28 Prosecution: Katsav may be charged with rape 07:23 Protesters jeer Katsav, cheer the chance to take him to court 07:32 U.S. wants to hold summit at Sharm during Bush visit 07:37 IDF home front chief: Israelis ready to meet any threats 07:46 IDF begins clearing out West Bank settlements' armories 07:50 Israel to deny UN official entry for comparing Israel to Nazis 07:53 Katsav's accusers are ready to face him in court 05:39 Safran Foer, Krauss among big names to attend J'lem writers festival 04:58 80-year-old Smadar Cinema projects special image of Jerusalem 07:28 Peace Now: Our views are now mainstream but peace still elusive Previous Editions Select Day 08 apr 07 apr 06 apr 04 apr 03 apr 02 apr 01 apr 31 mar 30 mar 28 mar 27 mar 26 mar

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