Israeli president faces rape charge

ISRAELI police have recommended that President Moshe Katsav should be charged with rape.

The recommendation came during a meeting between police and Attorney General Meni Mazuz, the television Channel 10 said.

Police spokesman Micky Rosenfeld confirmed the meeting was taking place and that a formal announcement was expected.

Police have been investigating complaints of sexual misconduct against Mr Katsav, who holds a largely ceremonial post as president.

The final decision on whether to put the president on trial is up to Mr Mazuz.

Channel 10 said police also found basis for charges of fraud and malfeasance in office in the case of pardons granted by the president, while probes concerning disrupting a police investigation and harassing a witness were still in progress.

Mr Katsav has denied all wrongdoing.

Israel Radio and Channel 2 TV said the case against Mr Katsav is based on complaints by five women who allege he made unwanted sexual advances toward them during his tenure as president and before that, as a government minister.

Complaints by five other women are not being pursued because the statute of limitations has run out, the reports said.

The investigation of Mr Katsav began earlier this year after a former employee alleged he forced her to have sex under the threat of dismissal.