Man who posed as doctor indicted for hospital rape

While waiting her turn for an ultrasound examination, Kawasmi allegedly saw the woman and decided to rape her, according to the indictment.

By JONAH MANDEL
Rape victim (photo credit: Judy Siegel-Itzkovich)
Rape victim
(photo credit: Judy Siegel-Itzkovich)
The Jerusalem District Attorney’s Office on Sunday indicted city resident Tha’er Kawasmi, 38, on charges of rape and indecent assault on a woman after he posed as a doctor at the Shaare Zedek Medical Center.
According to the charge sheet, the complainant was admitted to the hospital last week after being lightly injured in a car accident.
While waiting her turn for an ultrasound examination, Kawasmi allegedly saw the woman and decided to rape her, according to the indictment.
Overhearing medical staff telling her that the examination would take place at 3 p.m., Kawasmi – who has been hospitalized there many times and is familiar with the facilities – told her he was a doctor and that she should enter a certain room.
The complainant followed him to the designated chamber, where her sister, who was accompanying her, was informed by Kawasmi that she could not enter.
Kawasmi instructed her to remove her skirt and underpants, and sit on the gynecological examining chair, where he proceeded to forcefully open her legs and penetrate her with his fingers.
He then ordered her to stand up, and fondled her buttocks. He told her to get dressed, and then, upon hearing someone knocking on the door, fled the room according to the charge.
The prosecution asked that the defendant remain in custody till the end of the proceedings.