Father of suspected Druze spy arrested

Police suspect Majed Shaer of Majdal Shams involved in security-related offenses as well

Eli Senyor |Published: 07.14.10 , 14:48

The father of a young man from the Druze village of Majdal Shams, who is suspected of spying and aiding the enemy, was arrested Wednesday on suspicion of involvement in security-related offenses as well. His relatives were surprised by the arrest.

Majed Shaer, the father of Fada Shaer who was arrested Sunday, was detained in Tel Aviv by investigators of the National Unit for International Investigations. His lawyer, Attorney Nader Hanjar, said in response: "If the father is so dangerous, why didn't the police arrest him two days ago? Did something just come up? Did he do anything today?"

After Fada's arrest, his father said he believed his son was innocent. "These are just suspicions. I am sure it will all turn out to be false and my son will return home." He said he had already been questioned on Sunday, after his son's arrest.

Fada Shaer, a 27-year-old musician, was arrested at Ben-Gurion Airport immediately after getting off a flight from France. He has denied all allegations.

His lawyer, Attorney Hanjar Nabi, said following a hearing at the Petah Tikva Magistrate's Court, "The suspect is completely innocent. We cannot elaborate due to the gag order, but we believe it will all turn out to be a mistake."

On Sunday, riots broke out in the northern Golan village as a police force arrived to search the man's house. A gag order has been placed on most of the affair's details.