Israel's former president charged with rape

(AP)

Israel's former President Moshe Katsav has been indicted on rape and other sexual offense charges.

The indictment was filed today in a Tel Aviv district court. No trial date has been set.

Katsav was charged with raping a woman who once worked for him, in addition to lesser sex crimes involving three other former employees.

The four women worked for Katsav when he was tourism minister in the 1990s and president earlier this decade. They have accused him of rape, sexual assault and sexual harassment.

Katsav contends he is innocent. Nearly a year ago, he called off a plea bargain that would have allowed him to escape jail time.

He says he wants to go to trial to clear his name.

Katsav resigned in 2007, two weeks before his seven-year term expired.