IDF officer under investigation for alleged sexual assault of soldiers

An Israel Defense Forces officer is under investigation for sexually assaulting a fellow officer and a soldier under his command.

During his extensive interrogation this week by Military Police, the officer maintained the sexual contact with the servicemen was consensual, Army Radio reported on Thursday.

Military sources told the radio station the investigation is expected to be completed in the coming days.

The officer has maintained his innocence throughout the investigation, and has asked to undergo a polygraph test to prove his claims.

The IDF Spokesman’s Office declined to comment on the details of the case, but confirmed that an investigation into an officer is ongoing.

The case was one of a number of instances of sexual crimes that have come to light in the IDF in recent months.

Last month, IDF soldier Eliav Hassid was sentenced to 27 months in prison for raping a female soldier who served with him in a mixed-gender combat battalion

Hassid had told the court that the sex was consensual, but later accepted a plea deal that saw him sentenced to the 2-plus years behind bars. He was also ordered to compensate the victim NIS 8,600 ($2,400) and was demoted from the rank of sergeant to private.