JERUSALEM, Oct. 30 (UPI) -- Israel's President Moshe Katsav, facing rape and other accusations, will not resign or take other steps until formal charges are filed, says his lawyer.
The statement from Katsav's chief attorney Zion Amir came in response to Attorney General Menahem Mazuz's recommendation that Katsav step down temporarily while the prosecution decides whether to indict him, reports the Ha'aretz newspaper.
Amir said no action will be taken by his client until a final decision is reached by Mazuz and Katsav's attorneys have had a chance to participate in a hearing on the charges.
Amir said even if Mazuz decides to press charges, the lawyers would examine the materials relating to Katsav case to see if they constitute sufficient evidence to support any charge.
Mazuz has said it would be inappropriate for the president to continue in his post once the basic decision is made to bring charges and that he should not wait for a hearing, the report said.
Katsav has said he is a victim of false accusations.
The Jerusalem Post reported that two weeks ago police recommended an indictment against Katsav following a lengthy investigation into complaints by several women who had worked for him.
