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Last update - 21:21 16/06/2008 Katsav lawyers slam 'public lynch' over sex crime charges By Ofra Edelman, Haaretz Correspondent Tags: Moshe Katsav, sex crime  Attorneys for former president Moshe Katsav, who is awaiting trial for alleged sex crimes, on Monday lashed out at the judicial system, charging that their client had been the victim of a "public lynch." The attorneys filed a complaint Monday afternoon with the judicial ombudsman against the judges who were to have presided over a plea bargain that Katsav decided at the last minute to reject. Under the deal, Katsav agreed to plead guilty to sexual harassment, forcible indecent assault and harassing a witness, and would resign as president. In return, rape charges were struck from the indictment, and was to receive only a suspended jail sentence. Advertisement The complaint, a copy of which has reached Haaretz, concerns the publication of the judges' legal opinion on the now-defunct plea bargain, which they drew up before the first hearing on the deal had been held. The ruling indicated that the panel of judges had intended to deviate from the terms of the deal reached between Katsav and the state, and push for a conviction of moral turpitude and a period of incarceration. "It appears from [court] documents that the court had prejudged our client, as part of the 'public lynch' being carried out by governmental bodies, investigative authorities, the prosecution, and now apparently the courts have joined in too," says the complaint. "It seems that every day another damn bursts in the trial of public opinion to which our client is subject," wrote attorneys Avigdor Feldman, Zion Amir and Avraham Levi. "We are doing everything in our power to stem the flood," Katsav's attorneys wrote, saying that they recall "the warnings of former deputy chief justice Mishael Cheshin and retired justice Dalia Dorner, that given the media hunt, the humiliating leaks and televisual testimony, it would be impossible for our client to have a fair trial." Related articles: Katsav's accuser requests face-to-face meet with ex-President The law unto Katsav Katsav case in better shape now, says senior judicial source Bookmark to del.icio.us   Nazi hunted Nazi sheltered by Austria seen enjoying Euro 2008 games. Battle of the attitude An 'Israeli au pair' seems to be the ultimate oxymoron.   1.   "Katsav lawyers slam `public lynch` " 20:34  |  Esther 16/06/08   2.   That`s what Presidents do? Slam the public? 20:52  |  S 16/06/08   3.   Katsav the misken 21:16  |  David 16/06/08   4.   Media circus 21:43  |  Joseph 16/06/08   5.   KATSAV case resolved ?which millenium? 22:02  |  HAL. 16/06/08   6.   Ask yourself this 22:35  |  Clickfool 16/06/08   7.   Katzav and Justice 00:05  |  EGW 17/06/08   8.   Katsav should be lynched! ! ! 00:30  |  noel 17/06/08   9.   A statement of criminal intent 02:10  |  Mark Lincoln 17/06/08   10.   Katsav and his desperation 08:03  |  SJ 17/06/08   11.   Re Hal #5 08:03  |  Esther 17/06/08

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