Court sentences doctor to 14 years for sexual violence

Prague, Feb 6 (CTK) - The Prague Municipal Court Wednesday sentenced physician Jaroslav Bartak to 14 years in prison for sexual attacks on his female assistants, some of whom he forced into sexual intercourse as part of their job, while he raped others.

Bartak says he has fallen victim to a conspiracy.

Wednesdays's verdict has not taken effect, it can be appealed.

Bartak was accused of six cases of rape, one blackmail, three cases of sexual pressure and also of restricting of other people's freedom.

He caused serious health problems to several of his victims, who suffer from a posttraumatic stress disorder, the state attorney said.

She said Bartak attacked ten of his assistants and threatened the mother of one of them in 2006 - 2011.

Bartak insisted on not having knowingly hurt the women. He said he liked his "intimate assistants" and fell in love with some of them.

Bartak's defence lawyers Wednesday said no evidence proving Bartak's criminal activities exists. They demanded his acquittal or a suspended sentence.

Bartak originally faced maximally 12 years in prison, but the state attorney Wednesday proposed that the rate be raised to 17 years, in view of the number of crimes committed.

The scandal was triggered by one of the former assistants whom Bartak reportedly maltreated during a joint holiday in the Philippines. The other women filed their complaints afterwards.

Bartak was tried for violence towards women once before, In December 2007 he reportedly brutally beat up his assistant. The woman accepted a compensation.

According to the media information, Bartak also maltreated his wife.