Israel's scandal-hit President Moshe Katsav AP PHOTO

The recommendation came at a meeting between police investigators and Attorney General Meni Mazuz.

The police also found basis for charges of fraud and malfeasance in office in the case of pardons granted by the president, as well as illegal wiretapping, while investigations concerning disrupting a police investigation and harassing a witness were still in progress.

While a previous president and several prime ministers have been suspected of financial misdeeds and a former defense minister was convicted of sexual harassment, the charges facing Katsav would be the most serious criminal counts brought against a serving Israeli official.

The complaints were filed by "women who worked under Katsav's authority." There was evidence he committed crimes of "rape, aggravated sexual assault, indecent acts without permission and offenses under the law to prevent sexual harassment."

In a statement released by Katsav's office, his lawyer, Zion Amir, said the police are not authorized to bring charges, noting that in the past, when police have recommended putting senior officials on trial, the attorney general has dismissed most of the cases.

The Japan Times Weekly: Oct. 21, 2006
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