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| Version 3 | Version 4 |
|---|---|
| Israeli president 'to leave post' | Israeli president 'to leave post' |
| (about 1 hour later) | |
| Israeli President Moshe Katsav is to ask for leave of absence, a day after being told he is likely to face charges of rape and abuse of power. | Israeli President Moshe Katsav is to ask for leave of absence, a day after being told he is likely to face charges of rape and abuse of power. |
| Mr Katsav, 61, denies the allegations and has vowed to clear his name. | Mr Katsav, 61, denies the allegations and has vowed to clear his name. |
| Correspondents say it seems Mr Katsav is stopping short of formally resigning from his largely ceremonial post. | Correspondents say it seems Mr Katsav is stopping short of formally resigning from his largely ceremonial post. |
| The president, who has not yet been legally indicted, is under increasing pressure from ministers and members of parliament to step down. | The president, who has not yet been legally indicted, is under increasing pressure from ministers and members of parliament to step down. |
| The unprecedented case is among several scandals currently surrounding Israeli politicians. | |
| A spokeswoman for Mr Katsav said the president would hold a news conference at 1900 (1700 GMT). | A spokeswoman for Mr Katsav said the president would hold a news conference at 1900 (1700 GMT). |
| Dismissal moves | |
| An official at the Israeli parliament confirmed to the BBC that a letter from President Katsav had been received. | An official at the Israeli parliament confirmed to the BBC that a letter from President Katsav had been received. |
| It will become clear he is the victim of trumped-up charges and a failed attempt to oust him David LibaiDefence lawyer Press demand Katsav resigns In it Mr Katsav says he is temporarily unable to fulfil his duties and would therefore be asking for a leave of absence. | It will become clear he is the victim of trumped-up charges and a failed attempt to oust him David LibaiDefence lawyer Press demand Katsav resigns In it Mr Katsav says he is temporarily unable to fulfil his duties and would therefore be asking for a leave of absence. |
| A parliamentary committee would have to approve such a move. | A parliamentary committee would have to approve such a move. |
| On Tuesday, the attorney-general said Mr Katsav would be charged with offences including rape, obstruction of justice and fraud. | On Tuesday, the attorney-general said Mr Katsav would be charged with offences including rape, obstruction of justice and fraud. |
| The accusations, brought by four women, date back several years. | The accusations, brought by four women, date back several years. |
| If found guilty, Mr Katsav could face up to 16 years in prison. | If found guilty, Mr Katsav could face up to 16 years in prison. |
| Criminal proceedings cannot begin while the president remains in office, but his seven-year term ends later this year. | Criminal proceedings cannot begin while the president remains in office, but his seven-year term ends later this year. |
| Some 30 members of the Israeli parliament (Knesset) have signed a petition to begin moves to have Mr Katsav dismissed, Israeli media reported. | |
| Special hearing | Special hearing |
| The formal indictment against Mr Katsav will only be filed after a special hearing between his legal team and state prosecutors, which could take several weeks. | |
| Defence lawyers have expressed confidence that the case will be dropped at that hearing. | Defence lawyers have expressed confidence that the case will be dropped at that hearing. |
| "It will become clear that he is the victim of trumped-up charges and a failed attempt to oust him from his position and he will fight to prove his innocence," said lawyer David Libai. | "It will become clear that he is the victim of trumped-up charges and a failed attempt to oust him from his position and he will fight to prove his innocence," said lawyer David Libai. |
| The office of president is invested with great dignity and prestige in the Israeli political system, but powers are limited. | The office of president is invested with great dignity and prestige in the Israeli political system, but powers are limited. |