Seven IDF soldiers with the Golani Brigade were sentenced to 20 days in military detention ,after refusing to carry a fellow soldier on a stretcher, despite the fact that he was complaining of severe back pains, Ynet learned Saturday.
The soldier, with an engineering unit in the brigade, was sent by the unit's doctor to undergo orthopedic tests due to recurring back pains. With his doctors' clearance, he set out to a week-long drill simulating battlefield conditions, and concluded the drill's first part successfully.
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By the second part of the drill, however, he was in severe pain. Despite his commanding officer's request that his fellow soldiers carry him on a stretcher, the soldier refused.
Six other soldiers backed his decision not to mount the stretcher ,prompting the unit commander to bring the matter to the company commander, who reprimanded the soldiers for refusing an order.
Following an investigation, the soldiers faced a hearing at the end of which they were sentenced to detention.
According to a brigade source, the soldiers' refusal was perceived as "power struggles" against the commanding officer. "This is a clear violation of orders and we will not tolerate it. Once they return from detention, it will be decided where they serve."