Ex-president Katsav likely to be paroled soon

The Israel Prisons Service parole board is to meet again to discuss a request for early release by disgraced former president Moshe Katsav, who is serving time for rape and other sexual abuse.

Three months after his last parole bid was rejected, the Prisons Service now sees no reason why his request should be denied. “There is no impediment to releasing Katsav,” a prison spokesperson told Channel 10 News on Tuesday, citing changes in the ex-president’s behavior.

“Last time we evaluated Katsav he was not suitable and our team said that he still had to continue with the process. But today the situation is different. Provided there is no dramatic change, there is no reason he should not be freed.”

On Tuesday, the Lod District Court decided Katsav could have another parole hearing, despite opposition from the State Prosecution. It also instructed the Prisons Service to prepare a rehabilitation program for him.

The State Prosecutors office strongly objected to this ruling. “We demand an explanation for this new policy of the IPS parole board, especially in light of the timing of this policy.”

In response, the parole board spokesperson told Channel 10, “The prosecution opposes [Katsav’s parole] because it works hard to keep prisoners in jail. So it is to be expected that it opposes freeing him.”

Katsav, 70, was convicted on December 30, 2010, on two counts of rape, and other charges. He began serving his sentence in December 2011, and is slated for release in December 2018.

In April the IPS parole board unanimously rejected Katsav’s plea for early release.

The board noted at the time that Katsav continues to deny that he is guilty of the crimes for which he was convicted, and cares only about his own plight and not that of his victims.

“The board took note that the prisoner sees himself as a victim … and is busy solely with himself, his needs, his loss, and the price that he and his family have paid. Even in light of questions from the board, the prisoner didn’t show regret and/or empathy for the victims of the crime, but once again noted the heavy price he has paid and is paying,” it continued.

Katsav spoke “obsessively” about his own innocence, the board said.

His last parole request triggered a firestorm of criticism, including from lawmakers and at least one of Katsav’s victims.

If he went free, “it would be unprecedented in Israel, and would send a very negative message, both about women and about sex offenders,” Odelia Karmon, who was assaulted by Katsav in the early 1990s, told Army Radio.

However, the court and the IPS have apparently since noted changes in Katsav’s behavior. Officials have met with him several times in his cell, the TV report said.

Early parole is common in the Israeli prison system, with a majority of prisoners managing to obtain the standard one-third reduction to their sentence for good behavior. In Katsav’s case, the parole board will have to determine whether he constitutes a danger to the public and meets the “good behavior” requirements.