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Ala Abu-Ktifan in court
Photo: Eli Senyor

Lod clan claims police discrimination

Family of which 12 were arrested for assaulting officers says police beat them because of they are Arabs

Twelve members of Lod's Abu-Ktifan clan, arrested Saturday on suspicion that they assaulted police officers, were released Sunday on restricted parole. The clan is now claiming the police treated them with disproportionate severity because of their race.

 

The clan was involved in riots that broke out Saturday in Lod. During the riots, police told the court, officers were attacked by dozens of residents and a few were injured.  


Abu-Ktifan detainees at courthouse (Photo: Eli Senyor)

 

But Ali Abu-Ktifan claims police were responsible for the riots as they "invented" drug charges in order to gain entrance into the family's home during what he claims was a search for a motorcyclist. Preliminary police reports said the officers had been conducting a search for illegal drugs.

 

"If they had asked us to find the person who was riding the motorcycle, we would have brought him in to police," said Abu-Ktifan, whose son Ibrahim was arrested. "I don't understand why they invented the drugs. We're not a crime family, we all work for a living and the police know it."

 

He added, "Because we're Arabs it's easier to use violence against us, and after that to claim that we assaulted police officers."

 

Abu-Ktifan said the officers had become enraged by losing track of their suspect and "just dragged themselves into conflict". He added that witnesses had seen officers beating a member of the family near the city's cemetery.

 

Four minors were among the 12 arrested Saturday. Police appealed to the judge Sunday to remand the arrests, but their appeal was denied and the suspects were placed under house arrest.

 

But Mohammad Abu-Ktifan was not appeased by the judge's decision. He said his wife, who is six months pregnant, is currently in the hospital with wounds sustained during the rioting.

 

He added that one of the officers had broken a window in the family home, dropping his weapon on the floor in the process. "Then they accuse us of attempted arms snatching. It's time to put an end to this," Abu-Ktifan said.

 


פרסום ראשון: 03.22.09, 18:46
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