Minister convicted over kiss
31/01/2007 16:28  - (SA)  

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Tel Aviv - An Israeli court convicted former justice minister Haim Ramon of forcibly kissing a young female soldier in a case that riveted the country's attention and added another layer of scandal to Israel's beleaguered leadership.

The verdict was expected to clear the way for Prime Minister Ehud Olmert to launch a major cabinet shake up.

Ramon, 56, was charged with sexual misconduct after kissing the 18-year-old woman at a party at the defence ministry on the first day of Israel's war with Hezbollah fighters in Lebanon last summer. Ramon, who is divorced, said the woman had flirted with him and the kiss was consensual.

Ramon could face up to three years in prison. He is expected to appeal.

Ramon was a key political ally of the prime minister and served as Olmert's justice minister until the indictment forced him to step down last August. He had remained a member of parliament throughout his trial.

- AP

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