Last update - 00:00 24/12/2006
Court okays Ramon request for another hearing before verdict
By Nir Hasson, Haaretz Correspondent
Tel Aviv Magistrate's Court approved former justice minister Haim Ramon's request for an additional hearing on Monday.
Ramon's attorney Dan Sheiman submitted the request Sunday, in order to allow three new witnesses to testify before a verdict is reached in his sexual harassment trial.
Ramon faces charges of an indecent act without consent for allegedly forcibly kissing a female soldier. Ramon contends the kiss between them was completely consensual.
The witnesses Ramon seeks to bring before the court are Prime Minister's Office employees who, according to the former minister, corroborate his testimony.
The additional hearing is a legal abnormality since the judges were expected to rule in his case next week.
Sheinman said in a letter that in the last ten days Ramon has learned that three women, who work at the PMO, may support his testimony.
The three witnesses met H., the complainant, in the kitchen of the prime minister's chamber a short time before the kiss took place. According to Ramon's lawyer, the employees will testify that H. had spoken to them about the minister, and what she said "can support his version and contradict hers."
Ramon argued during the trial that H.'s resistance to the kiss was unusual, and that she often flirted with him callously. It appears that the new testimony could strengthen the case that H. sought the minister's attention.
Sheinman emphasized in his letter that there is precedence for judges to hear additional testimony prior to reaching a verdict.
The Tel Aviv District Prosecution did not object to Ramon's request. "Without addressing the relevance of the testimony, there is no objection to it being heard," said the state in a statement.