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Israeli ex-minister guilty of sexual misconduct
JERUSALEM - An Israeli court ruled on Wednesday that former Justice Minister Haim Ramon kissed a woman soldier against her will, convicting him of sexual misconduct in one of several scandals casting shadows on Israeli leaders.The guilty verdict was unlikely to have a direct impact on Prime Minister Ehud Olmerts political fortunes, but officials said he was expected to reshuffle his cabinet now that his Kadima party colleague would not be returning. Ramon, 56, resigned from the government in August after he was indicted. The soldier alleged that Ramon forcibly kissed her after posing, at her request, for a photograph with her at the prime ministers bureau, where she was stationed. He said she had initiated the kiss. A Tel Aviv Magistrates Court spokeswoman said the three-judge panel decided unanimously to convict Ramon of having carried out an indecent act against the soldier. We determine that the complainant did not flirt with the accused, did not initiate the kiss and did not consent to it, the court ruling said. Ramon, who declined to comment to reporters as he left the court building, could face up to three years imprisonment. Posted by: Steve White 2007-02-01 |
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