Soldiers photographed with bound Palestinians released
Military Court releases soldiers suspected of abusing detainee to open arrest on base. Prosecution expected to file indictment next week
The photograph scandal does not justify the soldiers' detention. The Military Court ordered the release on Thursday of the Nahal Haredi soldiers photographed aiming their weapons at a bound Palestinian detainee. The soldiers have been released to an open arrest on their military bases.
Two of the soldiers have already been released. One other soldier remains in detention due to suspicions in another case.
The prosecution is expected to file an indictment against the soldiers next week, and perhaps request that they be returned to prison.
During a previous hearing on their detention, the prosecution drew upon the negative image created for the country. "The true importance is tested in relation to what we are living through today after Goldstone (UN report on Gaza war) and the Marmara (Turkish ship seized by Israeli commandos)."
The military court judge explained on Thursday, "The grounds for arrest are not the State of Israel's image." This time around, the Military Prosecutor did not reference this issue.
The president of the Jaffa military court, Colonel Rachel Tevet-Vizel, said there was no reason to keep the soldiers behind bars because the incident they were allegedly involved in was isolated and the investigation into it has been concluded.
"They aimed a cocked and loaded weapon at a person in their custody out of boredom and amusement," said the prosecution.
According to the prosecution, the delay in legal proceedings stemmed from a "pact of silence among the soldiers. The Palestinian was ridiculed and humiliated. The photographic documentation of such only makes their actions more grave. According to the Palestinian's testimony, the soldiers also kicked him and injured him. We are considering whether to indict them for aggravated abuse and illegal use of a weapon."
Investigators from the Investigative Military Police recently got a hold of the Palestinian who appears in the photographs. The man, from Jenin, was suspected of terrorist activity and was arrested on January 4, 2010. His statements were less harsh.
He said that during his detainment, he felt "flashes, a light caress on his cheek, and a light hit to his leg while in a vehicle." He claimed that he was unaware that a gun was pointed at him. When asked by the investigators whether he felt humiliated or undignified, he said that the only humiliation he felt was when "they arrested him in front of his family and friends." When asked if he wishes to file a complaint about anything, he answered in the negative.
Relatives of the soldiers arrived Thursday in court. One of the fathers said, "World public opinion does not interest me. They are the best of our soldiers and we need to put crowns on their heads. They are the best men there are."
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