An HIV-positive German pop singer went on trial on Monday accused of failing to tell sexual partners about her condition, causing one of them to become infected
An HIV-positive German pop singer went on trial on Monday accused of failing to tell sexual partners about her condition, causing one of them to become infected.
Not an angel
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| Sorry tale: German pop star Nadja Benaissa waits for the start of her trial as she is accused of not telling sexual partners, with whom she had unprotected sex, that she was HIV positive in the district court house in Germany. Pic/AFP |
Nadja Benaissa (28), former singer in the girl band No Angels, is charged with causing grevious bodily harm and attempted bodily harm, said a court spokesman.
Benaissa had unprotected sex on five occasions between 2000 and 2004 with three people and did not tell them she was infected. She had allegedly known her status since 1999.
Denies allegationsBenaissa admitted not telling sexual partners she was HIV-positive but denied intending to infect anyone. "I am sorry from the heart," she told the court, according to media reports.
One of the three men Benaissa allegedly slept with has since been confirmed as having HIV, prosecutors told an earlier hearing.
Benaissa's attorney read a statement in which she said she believed there was little chance of her passing on the virus and did not want it made public because of the harm it might cause her daughter and the band.
It was also reported that one of Benaissa's alleged victims told the court he had unprotected sex with Benaissa on about three occasions. He said he went to the doctor after learning of Benaissa's condition from her aunt, and discovered he had contracted the virus.
He told Benaissa, "You have borne so much suffering in the world."
No Angels became Germany's most successful female group after being formed on the television show Popstars in 2000.
The band reformed in 2007 and competed in the 2008 Eurovision Song Contest.
Benaissa is appearing in juvenile court because she was 17 at the time of the first alleged offence.
The fact that Benaissa was HIV-positive was not made public until her arrest in April last year.
She spent 10 days in custody after her arrest before being released on bail.
The trial is expected to last five days and hear from witnesses including fellow members of No Angels.
