Border Guard officers (Archive)
Photo: Doron Golan
2 ex-Border Guard officers jailed for robbing Palestinians
Officers get prison sentence for demanding illegal Palestinian residents hand over NIS 4,000 in market
Two former Border Guard officers received prison sentences Monday after being convicted of robbing Palestinians at a Beersheba market.
One of the officers received six months in jail and the other four – but the sentences can be converted to community service.
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The Beersheba District Court handed the tougher sentence to a 22-year old former officer who was convicted of abuse of power, assault, and demanding of property under threat. His accomplice, a 21-year old, was convicted of abuse of power and aiding the demanding of property under threat.
According to the indictment, the two officers met three Palestinians at the city's market three years ago and asked them for IDs. After ascertaining that the Palestinians were illegal residents, the officers ordered them to empty their pockets.
The Palestinians were relieved of NIS 4,000 ($1,000) and two cellular phones. The officers then escorted them to the central bus station and after having seen them off, divided the property amongst themselves.
In addition to the prison sentence, the judge ordered the older offender to pay the victims damages of NIS 1,000 ($245) and the younger to pay damages of NIS 700 ($170).
Justice Eliyahu Bitan had this to say about the case: "An officer, like every citizen, is subject to the law. When he breaks it, measures should be taken against him that are at least equal to those that would be employed against civilians under similar circumstances."
