The Police Investigations Unit has closed the case against five police officers who arrested Tony and Jiries Copti, brothers of 'Ajami' director Scandar Copti, Ynet learned.
The Justice Ministry confirmed Wednesday that the investigation into two separate incidents in which the brothers complained tohave been beaten by officers - upon arrest and in a police station - was halted due to lack of evidence. With the case closed, there is no impediment to the filing of indictments against the Copti brothers for assault of police officers.
Officers arrest Copti brothers (Photo: Muhammad Babi)
Tony and Jiries Copti were arrested last February on suspicion of assaulting police officers and disrupting police work. Police were called to the Ajami neighborhood in Jaffa following a burglary report and detained two suspects. The officers claimed they had been attacked by a group of local residents, which included the Copti brothers following the arrest. Others soon joined them and shook the police patrol car in an attempt to release a detainee.
The incident prompted outrage in the neighborhood, highlighting the similarity to the film's portrayal of the residents' struggle amid growing crime and police hostility.
While the brothers claimed tohave been abused by the officers, police asserted appropriate measure of force had been used with the brothers being the assaulting party. Several days after the incident, the two filed a complaint with the Police Investigations Unit. The police investigation into the brothers' conduct continues and is likely to result in the filing of incitements against them.
Eli Senyor contributed to this report