Hagai Amir to be released from prison

Brother of Yitzhak Rabin's assassin to be released after serving 16.5 years in solitary confinement

Raanan Ben-Zur|Published: 04.23.12 , 12:15

Hagai Amir, the brother of Yigal Amir, who assassined former Prime Minister Yitzhak Rabin, is slated to be released from prison in two weeks after serving a 16.5-year sentence in solitary confinement for his involvement in Rabin's murder.

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In April 2006, Hagai Amir, was sentenced to an additional year in prison after he was convicted of threatening to kill then-Prime Minister Ariel Sharon. The convict and his brother, Yigal, who was sentenced to life in prison for Rabin's murder, have served most of their sentences in isolated confinement due to fears that other inmates might attempt to harm them

Amir was also put on disciplinary trial for making unauthorized phone calls from the prison's pay phone. While serving his term, Hagai Amir requested to receive vacation time, like the other prisoners, but his request was denied under the claim that he was considered a threat to the public and the State.

Amir also made a request with prison authorities to allow him to share a prison cell with his brother, Yigal, so that they can study together, but this request was also denied.

After serving two thirds of his sentence, Amir petitioned to have a third of his sentence commuted, but his request was denied due to his refusal to express regret over his acts.

It is still not clear whether Hagai Amir, who is slated to be released in two weeks, will be issued restrictions due to the security nature of his past convictions.