Jerusalem ( CNN ) -- Moshe Katsav , the former Israeli president , began a seven-year prison sentence on Wednesday for rape and other sexual offenses . Two days after his 66th birthday , Katsav arrived at the Maasiyahu Prison in Ramla , central Israel , where he will be kept in a cell block for prisoners who are observant Jews . `` `` The five and a half years of battle come to an end in anger and frustration , '' Katsav said as he left his home surrounded by well wishers . He insisted the evidence against him was flawed . The case involved three women -- two in the president 's office and one in the tourism ministry . A three judge panel last year found Katsav guilty of two charges of rape , two charges of forceful sexual harassment and one charge of sexual harassment . He was sentenced in in March . He had agreed in 2007 to plead guilty to lesser charges and pay a fine to avoid jail time , but withdrew from the deal when the moment came to enter his plea . After the verdict , Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said it was a `` sad day '' for Israel . Katsav , of the center-right Likud Party , was president of Israel from 2000 to 2007 . He was minister of tourism before that . The charges stem from allegations made against him in both jobs . As an inmate of the block for religious prisoners , Katsav will not be required to wear a prison uniform . CNN 's Paul Colsey contributed to this report .
Katsav enters prison after being convicted 2000 to 2007 of rape and other sexual offenses . He continues to insist the evidence against him was flawed as he leaves his home . He will be kept in a cell block for prisoners who are observant Israeli . Katsav , of the center-right CNN , was president of Israel from last year .