![[ image: width=150]](/olmedia/465000/images/_466934_shlomo150.jpg)
The defendant, Shlomo Uri Noor, who is to be sentenced later, could face up to 30 years in prison.
Linor Abargil said that while she was in Milan in October 1998 to audition for modelling jobs, she went to Noor for help in arranging a flight back to Israel.
She was Miss Israel at the time and went on to win the Miss World beauty contest in the Seychelles the following month.
Noor was arrested in Italy, where he ran his business, after Ms Abargil filed a complaint. But he was released on bail and returned to Israel in January, where he was arrested.
'Don't be afraid'
The Israeli beauty queen said she could now get on with her life, having braved the publicity of the case.
![[ image: width=150]](/olmedia/465000/images/_466934_abargil150.jpg)
"I want to scream out loud to every woman to complain, to tell the police. Don't be afraid," she said after the ruling.
Noor complained that he did not get a fair trial because he was "not 100% Israeli". He is an immigrant to the Jewish state from Egypt.
"I regret only one thing, that I believed in the state of Israel, in its law and democracy," he said, adding that people had been "blinded" by the Miss World crown.
Ms Abargil said the assault had taken place after Noor had offered to drive her to Rome, having told her there were no flights from Milan to Israel.
During the ride, Noor pulled off the highway and raped her at knifepoint, she said.
The judges accused Noor of being a liar who had tried to mislead them with strange behaviour, such as bursting into tears or laughter unexpectedly.
Noor has maintained his innocence, saying Ms Abargil consented to having sex.
Arab crowned Miss Israel
(10 Mar 99 | Middle East)
Miss World rape suspect arrested
(14 Jan 99 | Middle East)
Linor cruises to Miss World title
(27 Nov 98 | Entertainment)
Miss World
Israel Women's Network
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