Lawyer: Convicted ex-president Katsav devastated

"Whoever wanted to see the former president's downfall has gotten what he wants. The man is in bad shape, very bad," says defense attorney Amir.

katsav in court 311 (photo credit: AP)
katsav in court 311
(photo credit: AP)
The lawyer for former president Moshe Katsav on Wednesday said his client has been devastated by the rape conviction handed down to him last month.
Zion Amir's assessment was the first glimpse of Katsav's state of mind since the conviction.
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Amir told Army Radio on Wednesday that "whoever wanted to see the former president's downfall has gotten what he wants. The man is in bad shape, very bad."
Amir would not say whether he feared for Katsav.
Katsav faces up to 16 years in jail.  Tel Aviv District Court on Wednesday announced that the sentencing hearing would take place in six weeks time on February 22.
The judges have not yet reached a decision on whether or not the hearing will be open to the public.
The judges' arguments in the verdict were scheduled to be released to the public on Thursday. The decision to release the ruling came after Katsav's attorneys agreed that the arguments should be publicized.