Israel's ex-president seeks retrial in rape case

Former Israeli president Moshe Katsav, who was convicted in a rape case in 2011, appealed before the Supreme Court Monday for a retrial, media reported.

According to an interview, Katsav's legal team gave to the Yediot Aharonot daily, the former president argues there has been a "miscarriage of justice", Xinhua reported.

According to a report on the Channel 2 news, Katsav and his legal team has been preparing to submit the request for several months, based on what they dub "distortion of judgement" in court decision.

They have reportedly consulted major legal figures, including retired judges, regarding their chances. However, experts say that chances for a retrial are slim, as there have been very few retrials in the Israeli judicial system.

Katsav, the eighth president of Israel who served between 2000 and 2007, was convicted Dec 30 of two counts of rape of female subordinates, as well as sexual harassment of others. In 2011, he was sentenced to seven years in prison which he currently is serving in a jailhouse in central Israel.