A member of the military based in Yellowknife is on trial for a charge of sexual assault.
Adam Besharah is accused of sexually assaulting a woman while she was unconscious at his military housing unit in February 2025. He has pleaded not guilty to the charge.
The woman, whose identity is protected by a publication ban, testified in Territorial Court on Wednesday that she and her spouse were good friends with Besharah and they would often socialize together.
“I trusted him,” she said.
“I would open my heart to him and he would open his heart to me as well.”
Advertisement.
Advertisement.
The woman said that in February 2025, her spouse was out of town for work. Before he left, she said they agreed that she and Besharah should try to see each other.
On the evening of February 8, the woman said she went over to Besharah’s house and they had some drinks before going out to dinner and then karaoke.
When she arrived at his home, the woman said Besharah looked upset and told her he had discovered that his girlfriend was married, had been lying to him and he felt betrayed. She said that was the main focus of their conversations throughout the night.
The woman said while talking at the karaoke bar, Besharah told her; “I will never find somebody like you.”
Advertisement.
Advertisement.
The woman said she was flattered and asked Besharah to explain what he meant. She said she made it clear to him that nothing would happen between them and they joked about it.
The woman said she later suggested that they leave karaoke and go to Besharah’s house to talk further, as he had a cocktail machine.
After arriving at his home, the woman said Besharah was sitting on a chair and she was sitting on the couch in his living room when she “very quickly felt very sick.” She said the last thing she remembered was putting her head in her hands and telling Besharah “I feel puky” before passing out.
The woman said she woke up with Besharah on top of her, kissing her lips and pressing her hand against his penis over his clothes. She said they were both clothed at the time.
The woman said she felt “disgusted and scared.”
When she began to move, the woman said Besharah jumped off her, called her “sweetheart,” told her he was taking care of her and added he was going to make a bed for her to stay the night.
The woman said she then left Besharah’s house and went to her home.
She said she told her spouse what happened during a call on February 10 and he contacted the military police and encouraged her to contact the RCMP.
Advertisement.
Advertisement.
‘Something was off’
During cross-examination, the woman refuted defence lawyer Jay Bran’s suggestion that she had suggested going to Besharah’s house rather than her house for a drink so her spouse would not see them on cameras in her home.
The woman also denied Bran’s suggestion that she and Besharah had both leaned in for a kiss but stopped themselves before she passed out.
The woman’s partner also testified on Wednesday.
He said Besharah was a close friend and when his wife told him she planned to get drinks with Besharah on February 8, he had encouraged it as he trusted Besharah.
The man said when he spoke to his spouse on a video call on February 10, he could tell that “something was off.” He said he was “shocked” when she told him Besharah had sexually assaulted her, adding he was very angry and worried for her safety.
The man said he then called the military police and RCMP and made arrangements to come home.
The man said he also texted Besharah, who called him and said he was sorry that he had tried to kiss his spouse.
In response to questions from Bran, the man said while his partner would check the cameras in their home, he rarely did so and could not do so on his phone or computer.
Following the man’s testimony, Crown prosecutor Simon Hodge rested his case.
Besharah is expected to testify in his defence on Thursday.
