(Reuters) – An Israeli court found former President Moshe Katsav guilty of rape and other sexual offenses on Thursday, convictions of unprecedented gravity for a head of the Jewish state.

“Katsav’s testimony was riddled with lies,” the three-judge panel said in its ruling. “When a woman says no, she means no.”

Katsav, president from 2000 to 2007, had denied the charges of twice raping one former aide and of forcibly molesting or sexually harassing two others. He had also been indicted for witness tampering and obstruction of justice.

The 65-year-old Katsav had no comment for reporters as he left Tel Aviv District Court, ashen-faced and flanked by lawyers and bodyguards. He may appeal to the Supreme Court to contest the unanimous verdict, and what could be a lengthy jail term.

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