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Nashat Melhem

Tel Aviv terrorist's body won't be returned to family yet

Two days after discovering and killing Nashat Melhem in Arara, police conduct sweeps in neighborhood where he hid; residents complain about police behavior; at least on person arrested.

The body of Tel Aviv terrorist Nashat Melhem, who murdered three Israelis on January 1, will most likely not be returned to his family on Sunday, officials in the Public Security Ministry confirmed.

  

 

Public Security Minister Gilad Erdan has asked the police to make sure Melhem's funeral procession does not turn into a rally of incitement and support of terrorism.

 

Family members, meanwhile, demanded to receive the terrorist's body back. "We want to get this thing over with," said a relative. "Why are they holding the body? Nashat is dead and his body does not pose a risk to the public."

 

Nashat Melhem's body after being shot dead.
Nashat Melhem's body after being shot dead.

 

A resident of Wadi Ara added that "as long as the family doesn't get the body, people will keep talking about Nashat Melhem. Police should be considerate of us and give the body back so we can return back to our daily lives."

 

Earlier Sunday, large numbers of police blocked off al-Daharat neighborhood in Arara, where terrorist Nashat Melhem hid from authorities and was ultimately captured and killed. A police helicopter was on the scene and at least one person was arrested.

 

 

The arrestee reportedly lives adjacent to the house in which the terrorist hid last week. "We didn't know he was here," said his mother of the terrorist. "We condemn his actions and oppose violence. We support peace and coexistence."

A neighborhood resident demanded: "What do you want from us? They eliminated the terrorist like they wanted, so let us live in peace. . . The police are making our lives difficult. It's like a closed military area." One family claimed police vandalized its car.

 

Car allegedly dismantled by police in Arara
Car allegedly dismantled by police in Arara
 

 

Also on Sunday, the Haifa Magistrates Court on released Mohammed Melhem, Nashat's father, and one of Nashat's brothers to house arrest for ten days.

 

Mohammed Melhem being released (Photo: Ido Erez)
Mohammed Melhem being released (Photo: Ido Erez)

 

The decision followed an agreement between the family's lawyers and investigators. The father and son were arrested last week on suspicion of aiding and abetting a terrorist, causing death, and conspiracy to commit a crime. The remand of another relative was extended by a week.

  

"The Shin Bet's officers did their jobs," said Mohammed Melhem. "I am a law-abiding man and did not cooperate with my son. My place should not have been in jail. Every second I was in there was unfortunate. I have a family I need to be with."

 

The family now waits for Nashat's body and is expected to hold a small funeral.

 


פרסום ראשון: 01.10.16, 14:48
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