Judge: Abuse of Armored Corps soldiers severe
Military court remand three Battalion 74 officers suspected of abusing newly inducted soldiers during hazing ceremony for an additional five days; defense attorneys say ceremony a 15-year tradition
The Northern Command's Military Court in Haifa on Thursday extended by five days the remand of three Armored Corps' commanders who are suspected of abusing soldiers during a hazing ceremony.
The report of the abuse and the subsequent arrest of the commanders from the 74th Battalion was first published by Ynet, prompting Military Advocate General Brigadier General Avi Mandelblit to order a full-fledged investigation.
In his ruling Judge Captain Carmel Wahabi called the acts attributed to the commanders "severe," adding that two of them had admitted their actions.
During the hearing an investigator confirmed that the Military Police were in possession of photos documenting similar acts of abuse that occurred throughout the years in the 74th Battalion, which is part of the 188 Barak Armored Brigade.
According to suspicions, several newly inducted Armored Corps soldiers were subjected to abuse by their squad commanders as part of a hazing ceremony.
The soldiers were allegedly beaten by commanders to the point of suffering substantial bruising and scarring. The event, described as extremely violent, was apparently sanctioned by the company commander, though he did not participate in it personally.
Attorneys Idan Pesach and Benny Kunzitz, representing the commanders, told the court that the hazing ceremony was a 15-year tradition in the battalion, adding that similar cases in the past were dealt with inside the brigade, adding that the acts the detainees are suspected of were not as severe as those committed in past ceremonies.
Army officials who are familiar with the case said that the commanders' arrest indicates that they are suspected of committing criminal acts. In light of the development it is estimated that the disciplinary proceedings will be canceled and that their continued remand will be determined by a military judge.
During the probe, several soldiers who were victims of abuse were questioned by investigators. Some of the troops provided full details of the violence against them, while others preferred a laconic description.
Meanwhile, commanders in the unit were also questioned; the commanders maintained their right to remain silent, while some noted that the acts in question were voluntarily approved by the troops and that there was no intention to harm soldiers.
