Lt. Col. Dan Sharoni, a 42-year-old commander from Modi'in, was convicted of approximately 70 sexual offenses and invasion of privacy against female soldiers who served under him. Sharoni installed hidden cameras in their rooms and filmed them over several years, storing the materials on his computer and mobile phone.
The panel of judges, including Col. Tali Farid, Col. Anat Carmeli, and Lt. Col. Haim Balilti, stated that Sharoni was accused of 79 offenses, with many photographs including nudity and partial nudity. They rejected Sharoni's claim that he did not act with a sexual motive, determining that he indeed acted with such intent.
The judges emphasized the significant breach of trust and the feeling of desecration experienced by the victims, who saw Sharoni as a valued commander and friend. The materials found on Sharoni's drive were categorized under headings like 'full nude', 'partial nude', and 'swimsuit photos'. The drive also contained folders with videos of the female soldiers, labeled by their names, wings, positions, and dates.
Sharoni admitted to purchasing chargers and claimed that he always had a camera charger to check for thieves or drug users. However, his testimony revealed contradictions, and he was found to have lied to the MDF. His version of events was seen as an attempt to minimize the allegations against him.
The case gained public attention in November 2021 when one of the victims published a viral post revealing Sharoni's actions. A plea deal was initially forged, allowing Sharoni to admit to the crimes and receive retirement conditions, including a pension. However, following criticism, the military attorney's office withdrew from the deal in September 2022.
In a separate hearing, Sharoni was convicted of 39 offenses of violation of privacy and 23 indecent acts, along with attempted indecent acts and inappropriate behavior. The judges noted significant gaps between Sharoni's version and the actual findings, highlighting his attempts to mislead investigators. Sharoni's impression on the judges was extremely negative, and they rejected his defense's claims about the indictment.
- Lt. Col. Dan Sharoni's case has been a significant breach of trust within the military community. The victims, who once saw him as a reliable commander and confidant, have expressed feelings of deep violation and betrayal.
- The investigation into Sharoni's actions was thorough and professional, revealing a clear pattern of deceit and manipulation. His attempts to juggle the investigators and provide false testimonies were noted by the judges, who found his behavior during the investigations to be highly unreliable.
- The initial plea deal, which would have allowed Sharoni to retire with a pension, faced substantial backlash. The military attorney's office's decision to withdraw from the agreement underscores the severity of Sharoni's offenses and the importance of holding him accountable for his actions.
- Sharoni's case will continue with a probation review, and further hearings are scheduled. The impact of his actions on the victims and the military community remains profound, highlighting the need for stringent measures to prevent such breaches of trust in the future.
