Ex-Israeli president exits prison after 5-year rape sentence
JERUSALEM — Former Israeli President Moshe Katsav walked free from prison on Wednesday, winning early release five years after he was put behind bars for rape in a landmark case that disgraced the country’s political system but also delivered a key victory for women’s rights.
Katsav exited the Maasiyahu prison in central Israel, accompanied by his wife, Gila, and other family members. Wearing a dark suit and skullcap, Katsav smiled but did not comment to a crowd of reporters before getting into a car and driving away.