In one of the most high-profile rape convictions in history, a three-judge panel of the Tel Aviv district court found former Israeli president Moshe Katsav guilty of multiple charges of rape and sexual harassment yesterday. While obviously painful for any country, the conviction does show a commitment to blind justice in Israel where high-ranking officials are not given effective immunity seen on other countries in the region.
The court found that Katsav’s defense was “riddled with lies.”
The allegations involved two women working in the president’s office and one women from the tourism ministry.
The conviction followed Katsav’s decision to rescind an earlier agreement to plead guilty to lesser charges and pay a fine. The victims denounced the plea bargain. At the time, prosecutors responded to widespread criticism of the plea deal by insisting that they were uncertain of being able to secure convictions on the rape counts. Yet, shortly before the plea hearing, Katsav pulled out of the deal.
That decision will now cost Katsav dearly . . . absent a reversal on appeal.
Of course, the idea of investigating a former president — let alone convicting one — is viewed a bit differently by this Administration. Attorney General Eric Holder continues to block any investigation into torture ordered by President Bush despite the Administration’s insistence that water-boarding is indeed torture.
Source: CNN
Jonathan Turley
when your worldview is us and them. what’s done to them is necessary and they deserve it. only when it’s done to one of us or one like us does the wrath come down.
rafflaw: “…but the United States of America, can’t even investigate the former President and VP and others for repeated violations of the torture statutes and treaties.
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And might I add this is reluctance even after the principles have admitted, even bragged about their part in these crimes.
Gyges and Mike,
You are correct. Start to apply would have been more appropriate.
“The conviction followed Katsav’s decision to rescind an earlier agreement to plead guilty to lesser charges and pay a fine.”
That’s what happens when you don’t mentally live in the real world,and feel that you are too important.
“”I object to this deal. This decision is surprising and outrageous, particularly in light of the fact that the case is solid and the evidence is good. I am frustrated by the decision and ask to appear before the court,” A said in a statement issued by her lawyer, Attorney Moshe Meroz.”
“MK Shelly Yacimovich (Labor) also slammed the decision, saying that “if a plea bargain is accepted, this would badly harm the trust of women who were sexually attacked and of the public in general in the ability of a plain citizen to reveal justice opposite a powerful and connected person.”
“start to apply” might be better choice of words.
Gyges,
Well said.
“The Obama administration has largely sought to confront Pakistan in private with evidence of human rights abuses by its intelligence and security forces…” (from the following link)
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We haven’t yet reached the point where people are “disappearing” (in large numbers, anyway), but there are plenty of human rights abuses by OUR “intelligence and security forces” right here at home. There are some in this country who would quite happily adopt the Pakistani model, if they thought they could get away with it… JMHO
http://www.nytimes.com/2010/12/30/world/asia/30disappear.html?_r=1&hp
The Obama administration has largely sought to confront Pakistan in private with evidence of human rights abuses by its intelligence and security forces, fearing that a public scolding could imperil the country’s cooperation in combating Al Qaeda, the Taliban and other extremist groups.
After the Sept. 11 attacks, the administration of President George W. Bush urged Pakistan to capture militants and Islamic extremists linked to the Taliban and Al Qaeda. Since then, human rights groups have said that Pakistan’s security forces used that campaign as a cover to round up hundreds, if not thousands, of political activists and guerrilla fighters in Baluchistan and hold them in secret detention.
Precise numbers of disappearances are difficult to pin down, human rights advocates say, partly because family members fear that reporting missing relatives could endanger the relatives or even themselves.
“It is very difficult to put numbers on disappearances as they are accompanied by intimidation of the next of kin of the disappeared,” said Ali Dayan Hasan, a senior researcher for Human Rights Watch in Lahore, Pakistan. “People are unable to speak publicly. But we can safely say that disappearances are the order of the day across Pakistan, particularly in relation with counterterrorism.” (end of excerpt)
Rafflaw,
“When will the rule of law return??”
When it comes to the politically connected “return” might be the wrong verb, “start to apply” might be better choice of words.
It is funny that I had the same thought when I read this. Israel can investigate and prosecute its former President for rape, but the United States of America, can’t even investigate the former President and VP and others for repeated violations of the torture statutes and treaties. And don’t forget, scores of detainees died while in our control, some caused by the torture or related to the torture. When will the rule of law return??
“Attorney General Eric Holder continues to block any investigation into torture ordered by President Bush despite the Administration’s insistence that water-boarding is indeed torture.”
I’m guessing that Holder (and many others) want to keep the full nature of the torture program (and the PSP) from coming to light. Pretty much anything goes in these United States, if it’s done in the name of fighting “the war on terror.”
Nor should they be given ” immunity ” as rape is rape bar none. As to the punishment, well not sure but would like to think its some sort of severe jail time with reg prisoners. Toss the bugger in gen pop and let them sort him out.
And the likely punishment will be?