The Department of Police Investigations at the Ministry of Justice filed an indictment earlier this week against the person who served as deputy commander of the Shahar unit at the Border Police, Major General Nader Rabah, for violating privacy, illegal wiretapping and breach of trust.
The indictment was filed a year and a half after the latest case, following the publication in the "Shishvat" supplement last week - in which fighter Anastasia Weiner (21) told about the hidden camera that Rabah placed in her room, which documented her while taking a shower.
The article stated that Nader had documented another female fighter in Hadera a year earlier, and three female fighters said he used to enter their rooms without permission and sent them disturbing messages and comments.
The delay in filing the indictment was particularly outrageous.
Rabah mistakenly documented himself placing the camera in Anastasia's room, in July 2020 - which is important evidence against him.
On one of the cell phones in his possession, DIP investigators found a picture from 2019, in which the other fighter was seen naked and dressing in her room. He was fired from the police a year ago.
"The indictment is kind of closing a circle for me," Anastasia told us this week.
"I finally have some peace. I will come to court to testify and tell again about what I went through, and how this traumatic event accompanies me to this day. I am considering attending all the hearings."
How will you feel when you stand before him in court?
"It sure will not be pleasant to see him, and again I will think about the fact that he saw me naked. I will have to go through mental preparation before my testimony. But I will not be ashamed to look him in the eyes, he is the one who hit me."
They may reach a plea agreement with him.
"I will strongly oppose. I prefer that DIP handle the case in court properly, so that it receives a proper punishment.
It is not enough that they delayed the indictment for a year and a half, then they will also lighten the sentence?
"I'm not really sure I and another fighter were the only ones he peeked at."
• • •
Rabah, 48, a resident of the Druze village of Samia, served in the Shahar 101 unit in Jerusalem, which fights crime in urban areas and is considered wanted.
Three operational teams of male and female combatants serve in it on a regular basis, and in addition there is a detective team in the unit, which consists mostly of permanent police officers.
The fighters are dealing with riots, searching for wanted persons and securing terrorist scenes and mass demonstrations.
The indictment, filed by Adv. Batsheva Avgaz of DIP, alleges that Rabah purchased a hidden camera before April 2019. According to the indictment, "On July 3, 2020, the defendant served as a duty commander at a Jewish base in Jerusalem, where the unit is located. 30 The defendant went to the girls' residence and entered the room where a number of policewomen in compulsory service live, including A. (Anastasia; TA), who was the only one of the girls in the room who was at the base at the time.
The defendant did so without her permission and without her consent, and when the room was empty of people.
"After entering the room, the defendant hid the camera in the vest pocket of policewoman S., one of the occupants of the room, and activated the camera. The defendant installed the camera so that it captures the space of the room and even the shower. At the end of his actions, the defendant left the room.
"Around 11:00 PM, A. entered her room with the camera in active mode. She did not know about her existence and asked to take a shower, and began to take off her clothes. While naked, she went into the shower. The photo was stopped only after she discovered the camera, about half an hour after showering."
The second case in which Rabah was accused occurred more than a year earlier, on April 20, 2019. According to the indictment, "Before 01:28 in the morning, the defendant hid the camera in the room of policewoman B. (21), who is also a conscript. The defendant Photographed her while in her room at the base, while completely naked and while getting dressed.
"In his above acts, the defendant intentionally infringed on the complainants' privacy by tracing people, who may have harassed or harassed them, in another way, and also photographed the complainants when they were in sole possession. In the performance of his duties, an act of breach of trust that harms the public. "
Nader Rabah,
Rabah responded this week to posts against him in a personal post on his and his wife's shared Facebook page.
"Anyone who knows me knows how loud I am and does not relate to background noise," he wrote.
"I have no intention of addressing my interest, because it is neither wise nor the right place. I know one thing and for sure: when you have a strong and loving wife, and a supportive family, no event and no affair can affect you."
• • •
Anastasia has hired the services of Adv. Orit Hayun, who intends to file a compensation claim against the IDF and the police.
At the same time, she is supported by three other fighters, who acted alongside her during her service.
"The thought of walking around rooms often without clothes, undressing after an activity or going to the bathroom and shower, drives me crazy," said Linor Zelova, 23, who was with Anastasia in the same room at the base, in a published article.
"Until the indictment is filed now, we were not even sure he photographed another fighter. It was a rumor. Maybe now more complaints will come. The filing of the indictment will restore the trust and sense of security of fighters in mixed units."
Anastasia's lawyers, Orit Hayun, Dean Kochavi and Mark Perry, stated: Of Border Police fighters.
Adv. Orit Hayun, Photo: Jean Cohen
"Despite the acts committed by the defendant, exploiting authority and in order to humiliate, degrade and sexually harass the fighters, no report was forwarded to the Commissioner of Sexual Harassment. The indictment does not reflect the serious sexual offenses committed by the defendant, and constitutes a certificate of poverty And to the Israel Police.
"On behalf of the complainants, a civil lawsuit will be filed that reflects the full seriousness of the acts. We will not remain silent until the complainants are treated with respect and appreciation."
Nader Rabah's defense attorney, Adv. Adi Carmeli, said: "The indictment was filed only this week and the investigation materials have not yet been transferred to the defense.
After receiving and learning, our answer will be submitted to the court in an orderly manner. "
tala@israelhayom.co.il
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