Israel court rejects Katsav appeal over rape conviction

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JERUSALEM, Nov 10 (AFP): Israel's Supreme Court Thursday rejected an appeal lodged by former president Moshe Katsav against his conviction for rape and other sexual offences, and upheld his seven-year jail term. The disgraced 65-year-old showed little emotion as the three justices read out their decision, decreeing that Katsav would begin serving his sentence on December 7, the news agency correspondent said. He was convicted in December 2010 of two counts of rape, sexual harassment, indecent acts and obstruction of justice after an 18-month trial which included harrowing accusations, and portrayed him as a sexual predator who routinely harassed his female staff.