Ex-Israeli president released from prison after 5 years
{{#rendered}} {{/rendered}}FILE - In this Nov. 10, 2011 file photo, Former Israeli President Moshe Katsav arrives at the Supreme court, in Jerusalem. Katsav was released from prison after serving 5 years for rape conviction, Wednesday, Dec.21, 2016. (AP Photo/Sebastian Scheiner, File) (The Associated Press)
Former Israeli President Moshe Katsav has been released from prison after serving five years of a seven-year sentence for rape and other sex crimes.
Katsav walked out of the Maasiyahu prison in central Israel on Wednesday, escorted by his wife and a small group of supporters. He smiled but did not comment to reporters.
Katsav was granted early release last week by a parole board.
{{#rendered}} {{/rendered}}Katsav resigned in June 2007 after being charged with rape and sexual harassment. He began his sentence in 2011 after being convicted of two counts of rape.