Border Guard officers indicted for robbing refugee
Officers accused of kidnapping Sudanese man from Eilat, leading him to secluded location, hitting and robbing him of NIS 700, and threatening to send him back to his country
An indictment was filed Friday with the Beersheba District Court against two Border Guard officers accused of kidnapping, assaulting and robbing a Sudanese refugee in the southern city of Eilat.
The two, Adir Moshe and Eldan Maimoni, were also charged with abuse of police force. They were arrested ealier this week after the refugee filed a complaint with the police. The prosecution claims the officers confessed to the allegations.
Adir Moshe and Eldan Maimoni (Photo: Avi Moalem)
According to the indictment, the two officers detained the man and ordered him to present identification while patrolling in Eilat. He presented a stay permit, which one of the officers took from him. The two ordered the refugee to board the police car and drove him to an abandoned building in a secluded location outside the city.
One of the officers ordered the man to take out all of his possessions, who proceeded to take out his wallet and hand over the NIS 700 (about $184) he had.
When asked to return the money, the officer replied "we're the law" and warned him that he would be sent back to Sudan.
At this point the man snatched back his wallet but was pulled down to the ground by the other officer. The two proceeded to punch, kick and shove the man using a police flashlight, among others.
The defendants then fled the scene leaving the Sudanese man lying bruised on the ground after sustaining wounds to the knee, right hand and pelvis.
The indictment stated that both defendants committed felonies of kidnapping, robbery, aggravated assault and abuse of police force. The prosecution motioned to extend their remand until all legal proceedings against them are completed claiming they are dangerous to society.
