Czech court sentences doctor to 14 years for sexual violence

Bartak says he has fallen victim to a conspiracy.

Todays´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 today 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 today 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.

Author: ČTK
www.ctk.cz