Suspect in court
Photo: Noam Moscowitz
Victim's family (Archive)
Photo: AFP
Settler placed under house arrest in Palestinian murder case
'Police wasting their time,' says attorney defending man who says shot Palestinian in self-defense
A Jewish man arrested on suspicion shooting and killing a 19-year old Palestinian, who threw stones at him in January, was remanded to a three-day house arrest Thursday, which he is to spend at his parents' home in the West Bank settlement of Alon Shvut.
Police suspect the 26-year old shot Udai Qadous and neglected to report the case after returning home. He was arrested on Wednesday, some five months later.
The Jerusalem Magistrates' Court released the suspect after he posted bail at a sum of NIS 2,000 ($586).
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Claims
Police arrest 26-year old from Alon Shvut on suspicion he shot Palestinian for throwing stones
"If the police peek at the film they will conclude that this is a case that should be shut," defense attorney Ariel Atari said after the court hearing. He was referring to footage shot by an IDF security camera that recorded the shooting.
Atari claimed police were "wasting their time" on the case. "We presented our claims to the judge, who read through the investigation material. She took the hint and the young man is already on his way home," he said, adding that his client, who is a student, plans to attend an exam in economics taking place Sunday. The attorney also claims that since his client was himself a victim of a crime, he was not required by law to report the shooting. Atari says the police officer in charge of the case agrees with him on this point.
But Qadous's family was extremely pleased with the arrest. The victim's sister, Suzy, told Ynet her parents had burst out in tears upon learning of it. "He must be tried and punished for what he did," she insisted.
She also rejected claims her brother had been throwing stones. "We don't believe an Israeli court will judge him fairly," she said. "Past experience proves that Palestinians are always discriminated against in the Israeli legal system."
Footage published by the IDF shows Qadous and another man approach a man threateningly before the latter turns and runs. But Qadous's sister claims the security camera did not record the full story.
"What is seen in the clip is just part of the general picture of the incident, and I ask, where is the full video clip that can reveal the entire picture?" she said.
Elior Levy, Ynet's Palestinian affairs correspondent, contributed to this report
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