Former IDF colonel convicted of rape to be paroled

Ataf Zahar expected to be released from jail nine months earlier

Omri Efraim|Published: 10.23.12 , 12:56

Former IDF Colonel Ataf Zahar who was convicted of raping a female soldier subordinate is expected to be released from jail on Wednesday, nine months prior to completing his six years sentence.

Zaher started serving his jail term in July 2007. He appealed to the parole board after three years but was denied. On his third appeal in July 2011 two out of three committee members decided he should be released two years early.

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The military advocate general and the Rape Victims Crisis Center filed a motion with the High Court of Justice and the parole was revoked.

According to Yedioth Ahronoth, Zaher appealed again, this time his request was approved unanimously.

"I fee great anger towards the IDF parole committee," the victim told Ynet. "An early release while he never regretted or apologized for his actions is dramatic, it's a negative message to all women who were sexually assaulted and can lead them to hold back from complaining."

The victim, who three courts had declared was telling the truth, said the decision to parole Zaher brings back the trauma. "After the rape my life halted, he stopped my life and these acts will stay with me forever." She further added: "Incarceration for five years is not an appropriate punishment for someone who has ruined my life."

Liat Klein, legal aid to the Rape Victims Crisis Center, said: "A serial sex offender who doesn't admit or regret his actions and doesn't understand its severe damage is not worthy of parole. Unfortunately the parole committee tends to focus on the prisoners' conditions instead of the consequences early release will have for the victims, the public interest and the message it conveys to other sex offenders."

Klein also said:" The victim keeps paying the price long after the legal process has ended. In this case a justified conviction was ruled."