The decision brought to an end a two-year trial and a saga that has fascinated the Israeli public for more than five years.

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Tel Aviv District Court on Tuesday sentenced former president Moshe Katsav to seven years in prison and two years probation for rape and sexual harassment, which he was convicted of in December. Judges George Karra, Judith Shevach and Miriam Sokolov also ruled that Katsav pay NIS 100,000 to victim "Aleph" from the Tourism Ministry.