Former President Moshe Katsav, 71, who is serving a seven-year sentence for assaulting women, has been denied parole twice. He feels he should be entitled to parole on good behavior as is the norm in the Israel prison system. He began serving his sentence in December 2011.

Katsav’s attorney has requested a third parole hearing, which is scheduled for December 11, 2016. The state remains opposed and has request to postpone the planned hearing.

There are a number of problems including a public outcry from women’s rights organizations in particular as they feel a former president should not be granted leniency given the nature of the crimes he was convicted of.

In addition, Mr. Katsav continues to maintain his innocence and has not expressed remorse since he does not accept the guilty verdict handed down in his case. Hence, he has not expressed remorse which is a part of the early-release process.

(YWN – Israel Desk, Jerusalem)