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Israel's rapist ex-president was denied early release

Xinhua, August 4, 2016 Adjust font size:

A parole committee on Thursday denied the request for early release of Moshe Katsav, Israel's former president who is in jail for rape and other sexual offenses.

The committee has already rejected in April Katsav's plea to reduce a third of his seven-year sentence.

Last month, the Lod District Court ordered the committee to adjourn again after the Prisoner Rehabilitation Authority had said it launched a new rehabilitation program that Katsav could enroll to outside prison.

According to Israeli rules, prisoners may be entitled to early release only if they had admitted to committing the crimes and joined a rehabilitation program inside the prison. Katsav has never admitted his offenses and refused to enroll in a rehabilitation program.

His lawyers said they intend to appeal the court against the decision.

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

In 2011, he was convicted of two counts of rape of women subordinates, as well as sexual harassment of others, and obstruction of justice.

He is now serving the seven-year sentence in a jailhouse in central Israel. Endit