Content warning: This article contains disturbing references and descriptions of sexual assault. Reader discretion is advised.
A pediatrician at a Tel Aviv clinic has been charged with repeatedly committing indecent acts against an employee over several months, including incidents that allegedly involved the use of force, according to an indictment filed this week.
The indictment alleges that the doctor’s conduct escalated from unwanted touching and kissing to physically restraining the employee and committing sexual acts against her despite her repeated resistance and demands that he stop.
74-year-old Lod resident Merabi Janshvili was charged with indecent acts and indecent acts by force. The indictment was filed in the Tel Aviv Magistrate’s Court by attorney Sharon Har Zion of the Tel Aviv District Attorney’s Office.
Janshvili worked as a pediatrician at a Clalit Health Services clinic in Tel Aviv, where the complainant began working in 2025.
Shortly after she began working at the clinic, Janshvili allegedly started touching her on numerous occasions. According to the indictment, he stroked her head, shoulders, and face and touched her back, all against her will and for the purpose of sexual arousal, gratification, or humiliation.
The alleged conduct later escalated. Janshvili initially kissed the complainant on the back of her neck, according to the indictment. On later occasions, he allegedly pulled her toward him as she passed him in the clinic, stroked her face, and kissed her against her will.
During another incident, Janshvili allegedly closed the door after the complainant entered his office, hugged her, and kissed her on the face.
Janshvili ignored victim's attempts to resist
The indictment states that he ignored her resistance and attempts to free herself from his grasp, telling her, “give me a little more.” She was able to leave the office only after breaking free.
On January 29, 2025, the complainant entered Janshvili’s office after examining his ear. He allegedly asked her to close the door, pushed her toward the examination table, lifted her shirt, touched her beneath her bra, and committed indecent acts against her.
He then allegedly placed her hand on his genitals over his clothing, against her will. Despite her repeated requests that he stop, he continued and only later allowed her to leave, according to the indictment.
During another incident, the complainant entered Janshvili’s office to deliver a document to him. He allegedly instructed her to close the door, hugged her, kissed her against her will, and asked her to touch his genitals.
When she refused, he allegedly placed her hand on his genitals over his clothing. He then pushed her toward the examination table and continued to hug and kiss her.
The complainant escaped only after telling him that patients were waiting outside and that she had to return to work.
In February 2025, Janshvili allegedly approached the complainant while she was standing near a photocopier, kissed her on the face against her will, and left the area.
Additional indictment against Janshvili
Another incident allegedly occurred shortly before Purim that year, after a patient asked Janshvili to provide her with documents.
When the complainant entered his office, he allegedly closed the door, hugged her, pinned her against a wall, and lifted her shirt and bra.
He also allegedly touched her breasts and genital area over her clothing. When she begged him to stop, he replied, “no,” and attempted to move her toward the examination table.
According to the indictment, he released her only after she said she had to return to work.
On March 30, 2025, the clinic manager entered Janshvili’s office during one of the alleged incidents. The complainant moved away from him, while he stroked her shoulder and kissed her on the face, according to the indictment.
When asked about his actions, Janshvili replied, “I am asking you not to touch me anymore,” before leaving the office, the indictment states.
The State Attorney’s Office alleges that the acts were committed repeatedly and without the complainant’s free consent. Some of the alleged offenses involved the use of force and were carried out for the purpose of sexual arousal, gratification, or humiliation.