"Recruit Scandal" Shakes Israel.. Officer Sentenced to Prison

An Israeli military court sentenced an army officer to 18 months in prison after convicting him of secretly photographing female soldiers in compromising situations over a two-year period. The newspaper "Yedioth Ahronoth" reported that the officer, Ron Abirgail, admitted to being guilty of 45 charges, which included indecent acts and attempted sexual harassment. The Israeli military prosecution initially filed 81 charges, but the number was reduced after the officer pleaded guilty. The report added that around 30 female soldiers were identified as victims of the officer's actions. In court, the officer apologized to his victims, stating that he did not intend to share the photos with others, despite investigators finding over 1,000 images and videos on his personal devices. In addition to imprisonment, the Israeli military command ordered the removal of his current rank of lieutenant and demoted him to a lower rank. The news site reported that the military prosecution initially sought a three-year sentence, but the punishment was later reduced. The military prosecution views deterrence as necessary in such cases, following a recurring pattern of offenses that "damaged" the image of the army last year.