Jailed Israeli ex-president denied rape sentence reduction

An Israeli parole board rejected Wednesday former president Moshe Katzav's appeal to reduce his seven-year rape sentence by a third, officials said.

Katzav, Israel's eighth president, asked for an early release after serving approximately two-thirds of his sentence.

Katsav, 70, served as Israel's president from 2000 and 2007.

In 2011, he was convicted of two counts of rape of his female subordinates, as well as sexually harassing other women, in addition to obstruction of justice.

He was sentenced to seven years, which he is currently serving at a prison in central Israel.

A Prison Services spokeswoman said that a three-member committee, composed of a retired judge and two representatives from the public, denied his request following his hearing.

In its 20-page-long report, the committee cited that Katzav never claimed responsibility for his crimes nor agreed to rehabilitation.

"He never expressed remorse nor empathy towards his victims," said the panel, rather, he "perceives himself as a victim, and blames others for his situation."

The panel elaborated that his refusal to admit his crimes, even following the court's ruling, places him at risk of "repeating the same crime" of sexual assault of women.

Katzav's lawyer, Zion Amir, told journalists outside the discussion room "We will read, examine and of course appeal the ruling." Endit