Israeli ex-president charged with rape
Former Israeli President Moshe Katsav has been indicted on rape and other sexual offense charges.
The indictment was filed Thursday in a Tel Aviv district court. No trial date was set.
Katsav was charged with raping a woman who once worked for him, in addition to lesser sex crimes involving three other former employees.
The four women worked for Katsav when he was tourism minister and later when he was president. They have accused him of rape, sexual assault and sexual harassment.
Katsav says he is innocent. Nearly a year ago, he called off a plea bargain that would have allowed him to escape jail time. He has said he wants to go to trial to clear his name.
Katsav resigned in 2007, just before his seven-year term was to expire.
More to Read
Start your day right
Sign up for Essential California for news, features and recommendations from the L.A. Times and beyond in your inbox six days a week.
You may occasionally receive promotional content from the Los Angeles Times.