Last update - 00:00 03/01/2007
Ramon plaintiff to rebut testimony of new witnesses
By Nir Hasson and Arnon Ben-Yair , Haaretz Corrsepondents
The prosecutor in former justice minister Haim Ramon's sexual harassment trial intends to recall the complainant to the stand, so she can respond to the testimony of three new witnesses.
Ramon's attorneys are considering using this opportunity to question H., the complainant, about material revealed by police wiretaps.
The three new defense witnesses, all employees of the Prime Minister's Office, told the Tel Aviv Magistrate's Court that three weeks before Ramon allegedly forcibly kissed the complainant, H. had told them she was attracted to the minister. Ramon hopes this testimony will strengthen his claim that the kiss was the natural outcome of a flirtation and not an assault against her will.
Meanwhile, Haaretz has learned that the person who first informed Ramon that the police had conducted wiretaps in the case was a policeman. After initially denying it, the prosecution was eventually forced to admit that wiretaps were conducted and to transfer the transcripts to the defense.