Ex-general admits to committing sexual offenses
In letter, Ofek Buchris takes ‘full responsibility,’ but does not address allegations of rape; finalization of plea deal now likely
A former IDF general on trial for rape and sexual assault released a letter on Thursday in which he admitted to having committed sexual offenses.
Ofek Buchris is currently involved in negotiations to reach a plea deal with the IDF’s Chief Military Prosecution. In exchange for admitting to certain sexual offenses, the far more serious crimes of rape and sexual assault will be dropped.
The prosecution said earlier this week that the plea deal would be contingent upon his accusers agreeing to it, one of whom insisted on Wednesday that Buchris must take responsibility for his actions and clarify that they were not engaged in a consensual romantic relationship in order for her to consent to the deal .
In his letter, Buchris did not admit to rape or sexual assault, but wrote that he takes “full responsibility” for his actions.
“In the wake of various media reports, I clarify that I fully admit to the charges against me and I take full responsibility for the actions detailed therein,” the former general wrote.
“I would like to add that the media reports related to the plea bargain citing those who claim to be close to me do not represent me,” he added.
Buchris’ admission of having committed unspecified sexual offenses constitutes a serious reversal for the former general, who had until Thursday vehemently denied all of the charges against him.
The lawyer for one of the accusers, criticized the letter, saying it lacks on empathy and shows him to have done the absolute minimum.
“The suspect’s letter, while being feeble, laconic and missing any real empathy for the accuser of the damage caused to her by his actions, still prevents any renouncing of the plea deal, both by him or others,” the lawyer said, according to Ynet. “The suspect, who lied during the whole investigation, discredited the reliability of the accusers and didn’t prevent mudslinging at them, alongside taking responsibility for his action, seemingly lacked the magnanimity to offer a real and sincere apology.”
His confession also likely clears the way for the finalization of the plea deal, although Buchris has previously said that he will not agree to a deal that involves jail time, and it remains unclear what form of punishment the prosecution will pursue.
Buchris’ trial began at the end of September. He faced 16 charges, including three of rape and six of indecent acts against a lower-ranking female soldier, identified as A. He was accused of a further six counts of indecent acts against a second female soldier, known as L. Buchris was indicted in July for the alleged crimes that were said to have taken place between 2010 and 2012.
Buchris had earlier agreed to face his accusers within the framework of “non-binding arbitration” before a former military advocate general, Ilan Schiff.
The idea was to save the plaintiffs from a long legal process, Channel 10 said at the time, a consideration that would be consistent with Buchris’s desire to reach a plea deal.
Buchris officially resigned from the IDF in July in order to manage his legal defense as a civilian.
Reports of the initial allegations in March sent shock waves through the IDF and the rest of the country, as Buchris’s previously glowing reputation was suddenly called into question.
According to reports at the time, the first soldier to make allegations told investigators that she knew of another soldier, an officer in the Golani Brigade, who was also sexually assaulted by Buchris. Several days later, the second woman came forward to accuse him.
