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| Israel's Katsav faces rape charge | Israel's Katsav faces rape charge |
| (20 minutes later) | |
| Israeli President Moshe Katsav is to be charged with rape and abuse of power, the ministry of justice has announced. | Israeli President Moshe Katsav is to be charged with rape and abuse of power, the ministry of justice has announced. |
| Correspondents say a final decision on the indictment will be made only after a hearing, in which Mr Katsav will be able to present his side of the case. | Correspondents say a final decision on the indictment will be made only after a hearing, in which Mr Katsav will be able to present his side of the case. |
| Mr Katsav, whose position is largely ceremonial, has denied any wrongdoing. | Mr Katsav, whose position is largely ceremonial, has denied any wrongdoing. |
| He has faced allegations of rape and sexual misconduct from several female employees. There has been no comment from the president or his office. | |
| The president enjoys immunity in Israel, but he can be prosecuted after he leaves office. | The president enjoys immunity in Israel, but he can be prosecuted after he leaves office. |
| Mr Katsav's seven-year term ends later in 2007, but his lawyers have previously indicated he might resign if he was indicted. | |
| Attorney-General Menachem Mazuz's office issued a statement saying that it had collected enough evidence to support an indictment against Mr Katsav on charges of rape, harassment, abuse of power and obstruction of justice, among other crimes. | Attorney-General Menachem Mazuz's office issued a statement saying that it had collected enough evidence to support an indictment against Mr Katsav on charges of rape, harassment, abuse of power and obstruction of justice, among other crimes. |