PID says sufficient evidence exists to indict Bar-Lev

Investigators say former chief inspector candidate can be charged with forceful indecent act and sexual harassment against Dr. Orly Innes.

By YAAKOV LAPPIN
bar-lev looking at us 298 (photo credit: Ariel Jerozolimksi )
bar-lev looking at us 298
(photo credit: Ariel Jerozolimksi )
The Police Investigations Department announced on Thursday it has completed its investigation into two complaints of sexual offenses lodged against Cmdr. Uri Bar-Lev.
“Sufficient evidence” exists to indict Bar-Lev for an attempted forceful indecent act and sexual harassment against Public Security Ministry adviser Dr. Orly Innes, Investigators said.
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However, investigators found that there was “insufficient evidence” to back up a complaint by “Mem,” a woman from the North, who said Bar-Lev raped her.
The Justice Ministry’s PID stressed that the findings released were the opinions of the investigators only, and that PID attorneys, who were supposed to prepare a final evaluation of the evidence, have not done so due to the ongoing strike by state attorneys.
Bar-Lev has denied all suspicions against him. His supporters say that the complaints were part of a plot to oust him from the race to be the next police chief.
Bar-Lev took a leave of absence and withdrew his candidacy last week. He was questioned for an hour and a half by PID investigators on Wednesday.
Bar-Lev’s attorney, Irit Baumhoren, released a statement saying, “We welcome the PID’s decision to recommend against indicting Cmdr. Bar-Lev [for rape]. We are sure that eventually, prosecutors will decide against indicting him on a charge of an attempted indecent act.”