Former Israeli president faces rape charge

JERUSALEM, March 8 (UPI) -- Former Israeli President Moshe Katsav is set to be indicted for rape, Attorney General Menachem Mazuz said Sunday.

Katsav, who resigned in 2007, will also be charged with obstruction of justice, Haaretz reported.

The newspaper said the charges stem from accusations by women staffers who worked under Katsav while he was tourism minister and president.

Katsav was first accused of indecent assault in 2006, after he claimed one of his former staff members at the Tourism Ministry was trying to blackmail him. An investigation led to claims by the woman that Katsav had raped her.

Katsav had struck a plea bargain in June 2007, which saw the rape charge dropped in return for a guilty plea for sexual harassment and indecent acts. But in April, Katsav said he would not sign the plea deal and preferred to stand trial.

Haaretz reported that under the deal, Katsav was to receive a suspended sentence and pay restitution to his alleged victims.