Cop who attacked settler to face trial

Police commander who pushed protester during 2006's Amona settlement evacuation to face justice after lying about involvement

Yair Altman|Published: 09.22.11 , 23:20

Police Commander Amir Faras is to face a disciplinary trial for assaulting a protester during the evacuation of the Amona settlement in 2006, Ynet learned Thursday.

The Police Internal Investigations Department also recommended trying the officer for falsely reporting that his arms were injured when he was struck by stones early in the evacuation, which he claimed was why he could not have hurt the protester. Photographic evidence used in a civil suit filed against Faras suggested otherwise, prompting the police to reopen the investigation into the case.

אלפי בני אדם פונו, מאות נפצעו בפינוי המאחז עמונה (צילום: עודד בלילטי, איי פי)

Hudreds were hurt in Amona evacuation (Archive photo: AP)

Following the 2006 incident, the man that Faras allegedly pushed for no apparent reason gave the the police a video clip showing the officer waving his arms after he was reportedly injured. The investigation was not reopened at the time due to the video's low quality.

After failing to make Faras face criminal charges, the protester chose to file a civil law suit against the officer at the Jerusalem Magistrate's Court. Quality photos showing Faras waving his hands were produced during the trial. Faras denied that he was the subject of the pictures, even though his name tag was clearly visible in one of the photos.

In September 2010, the court ruled that Faras must pay the victim NIS 28,000 ($7,600) in compensation. Following the verdict, a new complaint was filed with the police.

The police claimed that they were never shown the incriminating photographs.