Yigal Amir
Photo: Zoom Out Productions
State seeks to maintain Yigal Amir's solitary confinement
In response to appeal filed by former Prime Minister Rabin's assassin on decision to keep him in solitary confinement State Prosecutor's Office claims he serves as role model for extremists, may be targeted by other inmates
The State Prosecutor's Office filed a response with the Supreme Court on Wednesday to an appeal filed by the assassin of former Prime Minister Yitzhak Rabin, Yigal Amir, which challenged a Nazareth District Court ruling maintaining his solitary confinement for an additional six months.
In its response, the State noted that the appeal should be rejected and that according to the Shin Bet Amir should continue to spend his prison sentence in solitary confinement. The State noted that the Shin Bet possesses information which security elements believe indicates Amir's motivation to spread his doctrine.
"Amir continues to abide by the radical doctrine which legitimizes violent actions against government elements in an effort to influence their policy," the response noted. It was further claimed that Amir serves as a role model for extremist groups and is in danger of influencing others to commit acts similar to his own.
The State also noted that Amir's own life is in danger as other inmates may try to harm him as revenge for Rabin's murder.
During a hearing on his confinement conditions in the Nazareth District Court three months ago, Amir told Ynet: There is no doubt that the request to detain me in solitary confinement stems from a vengeful decision. They should say so explicitly – we wish to punish Yigal Amir in another way."
Amir maintained he did not pose a security threat and rejected the claim his life may be in danger should he leave solitary confinement. "I never encountered a prisoner who cursed at me – the opposite is true, I was with Arab security prisoners and I get along well with everyone," he said.
When asked if he ever felt regret for his actions he responded: "This is a question that warrants a much deeper conversation. I cannot respond to it this way."
