Veteran Shalit swap prisoner detained for questioning

Eighty two-year-old Sami Younis, the oldest of the prisoners freed in exchange for the release of captive IDF soldier Gilad Shalit, was taken into custody on suspicion of entering the Palestinian Authority's territory in violation the terms of his release.

Younis was stopped at Rantis Junction near Beit Aryeh for violating the terms of his release. He was taken in for questioning at the Rosh HaAyin Police and later released.

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Younis' relatives told Ynet that the Ar'ara resident "went with a friend to visit the Ramallah area. On their way back they reached a road block, where they were detained without a reason. Apparently they detained him after they found out that he was a security prisoner."

The released prisoner's relatives criticized Israeli authorities, saying "Why make it harder on him? It isn’t logical to arrest such an elderly and distinguished man. It is degrading."

Younis was sentenced to 40 years in prison in 1983 for involvement in the murder of soldier Avraham Brumberg in 1981. After his release, Younis stated that his joy was mixed with sorrow. "I left my brothers behind, and I don't know whether I will be able to look in the eyes of their families.

"This (prisoner swap) deal was not enough, and we must make an effort to release the other prisoners who believe and want peace."

Raanan Ben-Zur contributed to this report

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