Suspended and soon retiring Israeli President Moshe Katsav signed a plea bargain with state prosecutors on Thursday under which he is forced to retire but will not be indicted for rape he is accused of committing.

Outgoing Israeli President Moshe Katsav has been on leave of absence from his presidential duties since January this year as investigations into allegations of sexual harassment and rape from several women were under way.

Under the deal, Katsav will plead guilty to sexual harassment, indecent acts and harassing a witness, Attorney General Meni Mazuz said. He will not go to jail or perform community service.

Katsav, 61, has insisted that he is not guilty of the charges brought against him and that the whole affair is in fact a slur campaign, accusing the media of persecuting him and organizing a witch-hunt.

Mazuz detailed the bargain, saying Katsav would play damages to the complainants and received a suspended sentence. Mazuz added that the Israeli president requested the plea bargain.

“The president will plead guilty to three charges, and will receive a suspended sentence and be ordered to pay compensation to the complainants,” the Attorney General said.

Most of the complaints brought against the president had passed their statute of limitations, Mazuz said, or lacked sufficient evidence. The women who accused him of sexual assault were employees.

Mazuz commented during the news conference announcing Katsav’s plea bargain: “From Israel's first citizen, he turns into a criminal convicted of sexual offences.”

Upon taking his leave of absence, Katsav was replaced by Knesset Speaker Dalia Itzik, who will remain as acting President until Katsav's newly elected successor, Shimon Peres, is sworn in on July 15.