[JURIST] Former Israeli Justice Minister Haim Ramon [Knesset profile] was convicted by an Israeli court on Wednesday on charges of sexual misconduct for forcibly kissing an 18-year-old female soldier. The conviction could result in a jail term of up to three years.

Ramon resigned from his position [JURIST report] as Justice Minister in August after the Israeli attorney general decided to bring an indictment against him on the sexual misconduct allegations and was banned from making legal decisions last July when the investigation was launched. Ramon has insisted that the contact was initiated by the female soldier involved and said Wednesday that he would appeal. AP has more. Haaretz has local coverage.