Last update - 19:32 10/09/2007
Knesset Finance Cmte. freezes former president Katsav's perks
By Zvi Zrahiya, Haaretz Correspondent

The Knesset Finance Committee decided Monday to freeze former president Moshe Katsav's perks, until the High Court of Justice rules on petitions against the plea bargain he reached with the state prosecution.

The frozen funds, which total NIS 755,000, were to be used among other things for renting an office, as well as furniture, equipment, hiring advisors and secretaries, and financing Katsav's private apartment in Kiryat Malachi.

Katsav agreed to plead guilty to sexual harassment, forcible indecent assault and harassing a witness. In return, rape charges were struck from the indictment and he was told he would receive a suspended sentence.

Several weeks ago the Finance Committee voted to revoke the perks of any president, prime minister, minister, or judge who is convicted of a crime of moral turpitude. Katsav's lawyers, however, said Sunday that the charges contained in the plea bargain do not constitute crimes of moral turpitude. This argument contradicts the position put forth by Attorney General Menachem Mazuz.

The former president's lawyers asked the committee to immediately approve the funding for his perks, sparking a storm in the Knesset. The NIS 755,000 are in addition to the NIS 1 million approved by the committee several weeks ago, which will be used to provide Katsav with security and an armored vehicle.