New Allegations Emerge Against Israel's Katsav

Attorney General Meni Mazuz notified President Katsav's lawyers on Sunday that he is considering adding a second rape charge to the draft indictment he is preparing against the president, the Justice Ministry said.

The same woman who initially accused Mr. Katsav of rape brought new allegations against him, the Ministry said in a release. Mr. Katsav underwent more than two hours of police questioning at his Jerusalem residence last week in connection with the new charges.

It was not immediately clear why the latest allegations are emerging now.

In January, Mr. Mazuz announced his intention to indict the president on charges of rape, sexual assault, and fraud involving four women who used to work for him. Mr. Katsav, who denies all wrongdoing, has taken a leave of absence from his ceremonial position, but has refused to resign.

Following standard practice in charges involving senior officials, Mr. Katsav will have a last chance to state his case before Mr. Mazuz before an indictment is filed. The hearing is scheduled for May 2.

Mr. Katsav's spokesman did not return a call seeking comment. But his lawyer Zion Amir said he was bewildered by the decision to consider a new charge.

Mr. Amir told Channel 2 TV that he found it "unreasonable" that the woman didn't bring up the second alleged incident in previous testimony.