Israel’s Supreme Court heard petitions against former President Moshe Katsav’s plea bargain.
A five-justice panel began deliberations Tuesday over petitions arguing that the plea bargain offered to Katsav, in which he confessed to sexual misconduct but avoided rape charges, was unfair and would discourage future victims of sex crimes to bring sexual predators to justice.
The petitioners, drawn from women’s groups and anti-corruption watchdog organizations, want Katsav to be prosecuted and face possible jail time. The State Attorney’s Office has said the plea bargain was necessary because of difficulties proving the case against Katsav.
