Israeli President Moshe Katsav resigned yesterday under a much-criticized plea bargain that dropped planned rape charges and the threat of jail time.
His resignation -- two weeks before his seven-year term was to expire -- takes effect tomorrow and clears the way for his indictment on lesser charges of indecent acts, sexual harassment and obstruction of justice. He will receive a suspended prison sentence and be required to pay damages to two of his four accusers, all former female employees.
The deal announced on Thursday was a dramatic reversal by Attorney General Meni Mazuz, who had announced in January that he planned to take Katsav to trial on charges of rape and other sex crimes -- counts that could have landed him in prison for 20 years.
Katsav's accusers, all former female employees, condemned the deal, which gives him a suspended prison sentence in exchange for guilty pleas to sexual harassment and obstruction of justice. He also has to pay damages to his four accusers.
Claims that Katsav used his position as Israel's ceremonial head of state to force himself on women were the most serious allegations ever brought against an Israeli leader and intensified growing worries about misconduct by a swelling list of officials.
At a televised news conference on Thursday after the deal was announced, one of his accusers insisted Katsav raped her, calling him a "pervert" and "serial sex offender" who turned her into a sex slave.
"I am pained by the attorney general's decision because it gives legitimacy to sex offenders," said the woman, whose image was electronically blurred and her identity concealed.
Parliament Speaker Dalia Itzik has served as acting president since January and will continue to do so until president-elect Shimon Peres is inaugurated next month.
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