Ex-president Katsav released for Passover furlough

Just weeks after the Israel Prisons Service rejected an appeal for his parole, former president Moshe Katsav was released Friday on furlough from jail for the Passover holiday.

He left the Ma’asiyahu Prison in Ramle Friday morning for a three-day leave from his seven-year sentence.

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

Earlier this month, prison authorities rejected a plea for Katsav’s early release, after delaying the decision twice. His attorney said the decision would be appealed.

The board spent 11 hours reviewing Katsav’s case at a hearing during which the ex-president, at times in tears, made an effort to persuade its members to shave off one-third of his seven-year sentence while continuing to maintain his innocence.

In citing the reasons for its decision, the board noted that Katsav continues to deny that he is guilty of the crimes for which he was convicted and to only care about his own condition and not that of his victims.

“In front of us is a prisoner who denies the crimes that he committed, who continues to claim his innocence, despite the court ruling in this matter, and continues to spend time trying to prove his innocence, as though there had been no legal process,” the decision read.

“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.

The board also noted it took into consideration opposition from Katsav’s victims to the release, as well as various opinions from rehabilitation treatment experts.

Katsav can make another plea for parole in six months’ time.

Early parole is very 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.

The Israel Prisons Service says his behavior as a prisoner has been above reproach.

Katsav can still appeal for a pardon by President Reuven Rivlin. The two are former Likud colleagues who served in the Knesset together for years before Katsav won the presidency.

Stuart Winer, Raoul Wootliff and Dov Lieber contributed to this report.