Katsav resigns over sex scandal

Occupied Jerusalem: President Moshe Katsav resigned on Friday, a day after pleading guilty to committing sexual crimes against women employees.

Katsav sent his letter of resignation to the Knesset Speaker Dalia Itzik, Israel radio reported.

When he pleaded guilty to sex crimes on Thursday, Katsav signed a plea bargain that will keep him out of jail, Israel's attorney-general said.

As part of the plea bargain, severe charges that included two counts of rape, which could have meant an up to 16-year jail sentence, have been scrapped.

Attorney-General Menachem Mazuz said that "shame will accompany [Katsav] forever". "From Israel's 'First Citizen', he turns into a criminal convicted of sexual offences," Mazuz told a news conference.
An indictment is to be filed against Katsav after his resignation takes effect on Sunday, or 48 hours after submission.