The former Israeli President, Moshe Katsav, was on Tuesday sentenced to seven years behind bars after being convicted on two counts of rape and other offences in a scandal which has rocked Israel.
The judges also handed him a two-year suspended sentence and ordered him to pay compensation of 100,000 shekels ($28,000) to the main victim, known only as “Aleph”, as well as 25,000 shekels to a second victim.
“This is a victory for lies!” shouted the 65-year-old as the sentence was read out by presiding Judge George Kara, with his legal team vowing to appeal.
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Katsav was convicted in December 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.
The court granted Katsav 45 days to set his affairs in order before he begins his sentence on May 8.
Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said it was “a day of sadness and shame” for Israel but also “a day of pride” for the country's justice system.
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“The court issued a sharp and unequivocal ruling on a simple principle, that of equality before the law,” he said in comments broadcast on the main radio stations.
The former Head of State was accused of twice raping “Aleph” during his term as Tourism Minister, and sexually assaulting and harassing two other women while he was President.
He was forced to resign as President in June 2007, handing the largely-ceremonial office to former rival Shimon Peres.