Maasiyahu Prison (TPS) – Moshe Katsav, Israel’s ex-president who is serving a seven-year prison sentence for rape of three different women, sexual harassment and indecent assault, will remain in prison to serve his full sentence after the Israel Prison Service (IPS) release committee rejected his parole plea on Wednesday, April 6.

The committee called Katsav “dangerous” in its decision, stating that its members have been convinced that “the prisoner views himself as a victim. He is busy blaming external sources for his situation. He is still behaving in a belligerent way and is only focused on himself, his needs and the price paid by him and his family alone.”

“The prisoner did not show regret or empathy towards his victims, and continues to deny the offenses he committed despite his conviction,” the committee added. “He is still attempting to prove his innocence as if there has not been a trial at all.”

“Moshe reacted to the decision with great sadness and returned to his prison cell,” commented Zion Amir, Katsav’s lawyer. “We will examine the ruling and appeal the decision. The main issue at hand is one’s right to continue pleading their innocence. I’m sad that the state gave into public discourse and threats from outside.”

One week earlier, the release committee heard 11 hours of arguments in which Katzav said he does not have any regrets since he “did not hurt anyone.”

The state opposed granting parole to Katsav on the grounds that he has never confessed to his crimes or voiced regret for them.

Katsav is the first former president to serve time in prison. He is now over four years into his seven-year term at Maasiyahu prison.

Katsav served as President of Israel from 2000 to 2007, following a long political career as member of the Knesset for the Likud party. Between 1981 and 1999 he served as Construction Minister, Labor Minister, Transportation Minister, Deputy Prime Minister and Tourism Minister.

Rape and sexual harassment allegations against Katsav surfaced in 2006, forcing him to resign the presidency the following year. He was indicted in 2009 at the Tel Aviv District Court and convicted in a unanimous decision in December 2010. Four months later Katsav was sentenced to a seven-year term.

During the trial, Katsav rejected a plea bargain that had already been agreed upon, refusing to admit guilt. He has adamantly refused to admit guilt even after his conviction, and has described the case as a “blood libel.”

In January 2007, while still president, he held a lengthy press conference in which he slammed the Israeli media for “persecuting” him and accusing them of conducting a “witch-hunt.” His media advisors resigned immediately following the spectacle.