MK Ghattas to remain under arrest until Tuesday
Rishon LeZion Magistrate's Court extends Ghattas's arrest for a second time by 24 hours amid phone-smuggling allegations; Judge: 'If it hadn't been an MK, I would have extended the arrest for many more days.'
The decision, taken by the Rishon LeZion Magistrate's Court, was made despite the police requesting that he remain in remand for an additional four days.
The extension also comes three days after his arrest was extended for the first time on Friday morning when, appearing before Judge Menachem Mizrachi, he refused to divulge who provided him with the phones that he is believed to have smuggled to the prisoners, on the grounds that "he does not want to be a snitch."
Judge Mizrachi commented on his decision following the conclusion of Monday's court proceedings.
“It could be said that there is a significant development in the investigation. It is a difficult to decision to extend the arrest of an MK,” he said. “I will say that if it had been a different suspect I would have extended the arrest for many more days. When you are speaking about an MK, requests should be granted sparingly.”
Standing in solidarity with Ghattas, fellow Joint List MKs Jamal Zahalka and Hanin Zoabi showed up for the discussion as they had done on Friday. Moreover, outside the court dozens of Balad party activists protested carrying placards saying ‘Release Ghattas” and “Stop the political witch hunt.”
Upon entering the courtroom, Ghattas said, “When I am released you better believe that I will speak.” Before the discussions were drawn to a close however, he turned to the media to share his thoughts. “I have thought a lot about what to say in the turbulent and particularly noisy sea of the past week of racism and incitement. In this sea, I still have hope that the courts and the honorable judge are an island of sanity and common sense,” he said.
“With a hand on your heart, did I really need to stay in prison for four days without being asked a single question?”
“One of these days was Christmas. Would the police have behaved this way with someone else?” he asked. “Would they have sought an extension if I was not an Arab? There have been rapists and thieves and immunity has not been taken from them—harassers, generals and officers. I feel there is a double standard. I don’t expect fairness from the police. This is a rare characteristic, especially towards an Arab who is guilty until proven innocent."
He added that he spent his time behind bars “writing poetry. I wrote them a song and I want to give it to them."
