Five inmates of six Palestinian security prisoners who escaped from Gilboa Prison are set to be indicted Sunday on suspicion of assisting the escapees, all of whom have since been recaptured.
Six prisoners escaped the prison earlier this month through a tunnel dug under their cells, prompting a massive manhunt in northern Israel and the West Bank that ended after all six were recaptured and returned to custody.
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Zakaria Zubeidi captured after he and five others escaped the Gilboa prison earlier this month
(Photo: AP)
The state prosecution on Wednesday announced its intent to indict the five Palestinian inmates, all serving time for security offences, for their role in facilitating the escape.
Indictments are also expected to be submitted on Sunday against the six prisoners who escaped.
The prosecution said the five prisoners suspected of assisting the escape posed a danger to public safety and could obstruct justice if they were allowed to return to their old prison cells. Their remand has been extended until Sunday.
All 11 inmates face charges that include intent to commit acts of terrorism, membership in terror organizations and providing services for terror organizations.
It is unclear whether the charges relating to acts of terror and terror group memberships will be included in Sunday's indictment of the five inmates.
Israel Police said on Wednesday that it had concluded its investigation into the prison break in cooperation with the Shin Bet Security Agency.
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Palestinians captured after they escaped Gilboa prison in court earlier this month
(Photo: AP)
"Israeli security agencies and the police began an investigation into the escape of prisoners from the Gilboa Prison immediately after the break was confirmed. After extensive searches, using technological and intelligence tools, all fugitives were captured," the police said in a statement.
Public Security Minister Omer Bar-Lev appointed a committee to investigate the prison break and determine the reasons that it was made possible.