German singer pleads guilty in HIV assault case

Nadja Benaissa, member of the German pop group No Angels, has pled guilty to aggravated assault after infecting a man with the HIV virus during unprotected sex.

Nadja Benaissa, the singer of German pop band No Angels, has pled guilty to charges of aggravated assault and attempted aggravated assault for failing to tell three sexual partners that she was HIV positive. The trial opened on Monday in Darmstadt, which is near Frankfurt in western Germany.

Benaissa, 28, admitted to having unprotected sex with the three men between 2000 and 2004. She had known that she was HIV-positive since 1999. One of the men later tested positive for HIV, which led to the charge of aggravated assault.

The charges of attempted aggravated assault applies to the liaisons with the two men who were not infected.

Prosecutors in Darmstadt argue that Benaissa should have known that having unprotected sex can pass on the virus.

'Deeply sorry'

In a statement, Benaissa told the court she was "deeply sorry." If convicted, Benaissa could face up to 10 years in prison.

No Angels were discovered in 2000 during the TV talent show "Popstars." They are Germany's most successful girl band and sold five million albums from 2000 to 2003.

(Published by DW-World - August 16, 2010)