Israel's former president Moshe Katsav (C) arrives at Tel Aviv District Court to hear the verdict on charges of rape and sexual misconduct against him Dec 30, 2010. Katsav, 65, denies the allegations which followed police complaints in 2006 by three women who used to work for him. [Photo/Agencies]

JERUSALEM – An Israeli court has convicted former President Moshe Katsav on two counts of rape.

Thursday's conviction means Katsav will face a minimum of four years in prison. The verdict marks the climax of a four-and-a-half year saga that has riveted the nation as it watched its top citizen face the most serious charges ever leveled toward an Israeli public official.

The 65-year-old Katsav is also facing charges of lesser sex crimes involving two other former employees. A verdict on those charges is expected later in the day.

Israel's presidency is a largely ceremonial position. But the allegations roiled the country by portraying the man supposed to be Israel's moral compass as a predatory boss who forced himself on female employees.

Katsav resigned in 2007 and was replaced by Shimon Peres.