Channels

Photo: AP
Elor Azaria
Photo: AP

IDF prosecutors; Brigade commander's actions problematic

After Kfir Brigade commander reportedly told Elor Azaria's father to seek a deal with the defense, an official with the IDF prosecution describes the commander's behavior was ‘problematic.’

Following the revelation that the head of the Kfir Brigade, Col. Guy Hazut, pushed Elor Azaria's father, Charlie to argue for a deal with the defense team, legal officials from the State Military Prosecutor's Office have said "it appears that the head of Kfir acted naively in trying to help (Elor) Azaria."

 

 

"(Hazut) is still (Elor's) commander, but he should have let the defense know. (Hazut's) behavior is, to say the least, problematic," the statement continued.

 

A recording of Kfir Brigade Commander Guy Hazut was made public on Wednesday, in which he is heard pushing Charlie Azaria, the father of Sgt. Elor Azaria to cut a deal with the defense, in an effort to lighten Elor's sentence, due to be announced in a month's time. The conversation was recorded on Monday, and was revealed by Channel 2 News journalist Amit Segal.

 

Elor Azaria (Photo: AP)
Elor Azaria (Photo: AP)

 

The IDF still has not officially clarified that the Kfir commander was speaking on behalf of the prosecution, or on behalf of the IDF.

 

IDF prosecutors said on Thursday that "the Kfir Brigade Commander wasn't sent by or instructed (to speak to Charlie) by the IDF prosecution team."

 

Given that Hazut is not a lawyer, his actions do not violate any law. Had he been a lawyer, he would have been up for review by the Israeli Bar Association for his actions.

 

Kfir Commander Guy Havut (Photo: Gil Yohanan)
Kfir Commander Guy Havut (Photo: Gil Yohanan)

 

The IDF Spokesperson's Unit issued a statement following the release of the recording, saying: "The IDF Spokesperson's Unit wishes to clarify that he will not detail the content of the meeting that took place between the family of Sg.t Elor Azaria and his commander, but he denies the false report of Channel 2 News, which insinuated that a deal was offered in regard to a lighter punishment or to the appeal or any other interference in the legal proceeding."

 

The IDF Spokesperson continued to say that "Sgt. Elor Azaria is entitled to a clean legal proceeding that is free of added pressures and that is treated by his commanders in a continuous and smooth manner as it would be for any other IDF soldier." He added that "The point of the meeting was to see whether the family needed additional assistance."

 


פרסום ראשון: 01.12.17, 12:09
 new comment
Warning:
This will delete your current comment