Grave offences (Illustration)
Photo: Index Open
Palestinian convicted of attacking police officer gets 15 years
Ramallah resident Asrar Barghouti found guilty of attempted murder for 2008 stabbing attack on Border Guard patrol off Jerusalem. Court says harsh punishment a must as means of deterrence
The Jerusalem District Court sentenced Asrar Barghouti from the West Bank city of Ramallah to 15 years in prison Tuesday, after finding him guilty of the attempted murder of Border Guard officer in 2008.
According to court documents, Barghouti planned to kill a member of the Israeli security forces. To that aim he purchased a knife, hid it on his person, crossed the security fence near the Jerusalem bypass highway and entered Israel.
Once he arrived in the Atarot industrial area, just north of the capital, he came across a Border Guard patrol. When the patrol's vehicle stopped next to him, he opened the driver-side door, stabbed the driver and attempted to stab another female officer who was part of the patrol, at which point the force's commander shot him.
Barghouti suffered two gunshot wounds and was hospitalized in serious condition for a lengthy period of time.
During the sentencing hearing, the State Prosecutor's Office argued that the nature of the offense, as well as the fact that human lives were at risk, warranted a lengthy prison sentence.
The defense argued that Barghouti was under mental duress which, which made him want to end his life and an extremely dangerous fashion. Barghouti expressed remorse for his actions before the court.
"The offence carried out by Barghouti was extremely severe," said the court. "Unfortunately, the phenomenon of nationalistically-motivated stabbing attacks against security officers has become common, and many times the perpetrators are revered by some of their peers, as if they had committed a heroic act.
"Therefore, in fighting these types of crimes, the court must exacerbate punishment in order to set an example and deter other potential assailants."
