JERUSALEM, Jan. 25 (UPI) -- Israeli President Moshe Katsav's request for a 3-month leave of absence was granted Thursday as he faces indictment for rape and sexual harassment.
In a letter addressed to the Knesset speaker, Katsav wrote: "the attorney general announced on Tuesday that he intends to bring me to criminal trial unless he is convinced otherwise in a hearing that will be held at a future date.
"Under these circumstances, I would like to inform the Knesset House Committee that I am temporarily unable to carry out my duties, and I ask that the committee approve this request."
Knesset Speaker Dalia Itzik will become acting president, the first woman to hold the post in the country's history, Haaretz reported.
Katsav is under investigation for allegations he raped a former staff member and sexually assaulted three other female employees in the 1990s.
A New York Times correspondent in Jerusalem said the president has immunity from trial while in office but can be prosecuted when he leaves, either by resignation or impeachment. Katsav's 7-year term ends in July.
