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| Version 3 | Version 4 |
|---|---|
| Olmert ally loses harassment case | Olmert ally loses harassment case |
| (10 minutes later) | |
| An Israeli court has found former Justice Minister Haim Ramon guilty of sexually harassing a female soldier. | An Israeli court has found former Justice Minister Haim Ramon guilty of sexually harassing a female soldier. |
| Ramon resigned in August over charges that he forcibly kissed the young woman when she visited his office after completing military service. | Ramon resigned in August over charges that he forcibly kissed the young woman when she visited his office after completing military service. |
| The incident happened on 12 July 2006, minutes before a cabinet vote on whether to wage war in Lebanon. | The incident happened on 12 July 2006, minutes before a cabinet vote on whether to wage war in Lebanon. |
| The ruling by a Tel Aviv court is expected to trigger a reshuffle in Israel's beleaguered government. | The ruling by a Tel Aviv court is expected to trigger a reshuffle in Israel's beleaguered government. |
| Ramon - who now faces up to three years' jail - had been vowing to return to cabinet if cleared in a case that has riveted the attention of the Israeli public. | |
| His portfolio is being temporarily handled by Foreign Minister Tzipi Livni, a rising star in Israeli political circles. | |
| This was not a kiss of affection. This has all the elements of sexual crime Judge Hayuta Kochan Correspondents say Prime Minister Ehud Olmert has been contemplating a reshuffle since last year. | This was not a kiss of affection. This has all the elements of sexual crime Judge Hayuta Kochan Correspondents say Prime Minister Ehud Olmert has been contemplating a reshuffle since last year. |
| Public approval for his government plunged in the wake of the inconclusive conflict against Hezbollah guerrillas in Lebanon last year. | |
| Lines crossed | Lines crossed |
| The female soldier, known simply as H, is thought to be in her early 20s. | The female soldier, known simply as H, is thought to be in her early 20s. |
| She complained that Ramon, 56 and divorced, hugged and kissed her against her will at a party in his office, at one point forcing his tongue into her mouth. | She complained that Ramon, 56 and divorced, hugged and kissed her against her will at a party in his office, at one point forcing his tongue into her mouth. |
| The three-judge panel was unanimous in its opinion on the case. | |
| "There are some lines that cannot be crossed," said Judge Hayuta Kochan reading out the verdict. | "There are some lines that cannot be crossed," said Judge Hayuta Kochan reading out the verdict. |
| "This was not a kiss of affection. This has all the elements of a sexual crime." | |
| Ramon admitted the kiss, but said it was the outcome of a flirtation initiated by H. The two were photographed embracing before the indecent assault. | |
| He left the court without making a statement. Sentencing is scheduled for 21 February. He has 45 days to lodge an appeal. | He left the court without making a statement. Sentencing is scheduled for 21 February. He has 45 days to lodge an appeal. |
| The case is one of several involving allegations of wrongdoing by senior Israeli political figures, including the prime minister himself. | The case is one of several involving allegations of wrongdoing by senior Israeli political figures, including the prime minister himself. |
| President Moshe Katsav faces indictment on charges of rape and other sexual offences. | President Moshe Katsav faces indictment on charges of rape and other sexual offences. |