Israeli Attorney General Menachem Mazuz decided Tuesday afternoon to indict President Moshe Katsav for alleged rape and other incidents of sexual assault.

Katsav's lawyers responded that their client is innocent of rape and abuse of power charges and believe that Mazuz will drop plans to indict him after hearing his side of the story.

"The president believes that everyone will see that he is the victim of false charges," Katsav's lawyer David Libai told reporters at a press conference in Tel Aviv.

Libai said the president had responded to the news of Mazuz's decision "with great regret."

"The president of the state will convene a press conference on Wednesday, and I am convinced that the president will stand behind what we relayed in his name to the High Court of Justice," he said.

"The president will give notice with regard to the continuation of his tenure" on Wednesday, Libai added.

Katsav's wife Gila said to Channel 2 that Mazuz's decision is not "good news", but "we are all right at the moment".

Katsav will face charges over claims of four women, including the alleged rape of a former employee.

According to a statement released from Justice Ministry, enough evidence had been collected to support an indictment against Katsav on charges of rape, harassment, sexual relations involving the abuse of power, obstruction of justice and illegally accepting gifts.

"The attorney-general, with the agreement of the state attorney, reached the conclusion that there is sufficient prima facie evidence to indict the president," local paper Ha'aretz quoted the statement as saying.

A final decision on the indictment will be made only after a hearing, where Katsav will be able to present his case.

Though facing indictment, Katsav does not intend to resign Tuesday, said Israeli Channel 10.

According to Israeli law, the president enjoys immunity while in office and could be tried only after his resignation or end of term.

Katsav announced last month that he would voluntarily suspend himself from office if indicted.

Katsav has been accused of raping a former employee of the President's Residence, known only as "A."

The president has denied the charges stemming from complaints made by several women who worked for him during his tenure as president and, before that, as a cabinet minister.

Source: Xinhua