Channels

'Justice prevails.' Vitkin
Photo: Yariv Katz

Police to compensate man hurt in anti-Gaza pullout rally

Akiva Vitkin says he hopes ruling will help officers understand severity of using violence against civilians

The Tel Aviv Magistrate's Court on Thursday ordered a former cop, Eliran Avraham, to pay NIS 7,000 (about $1,900) in damages to a protester that he hit during a rally against the Gaza disengagement.

 

Avraham was convicted of assault in 2007 after he and another officer, Eran Naim, beat and injured the man, Akiva Vitkin. The police and the protester reached a settlement, which requires the police to pay him NIS 12,000 (roughly $3,200) in compensation.

 

Related articles:

 

In 2005, as the right-wing protest movement against the Gaza disengagement was at its peak, Naim was sent to maintain the order at a demonstration in Ramat Gan. During the rally, Naim got into a confrontation with Vitkin, sticking his fingers deep into the latter's nostrils and pulling his head back, causing him to bleed.

 

The incident was captured on camera.

 

Video of Vitkin being beaten by police 

 

Vitkin, who was 19 at the time, claimed that Avraham beat him at the police station following his arrest.

 

The Yesha Human Rights Organization (YHRO) filed a complaint with the police on Vitkin's behalf, and the two officers were put on trial, dismissed from the police force and sentenced to community service. About a year ago the Tel Aviv Magistrates' Court instructed Naim to pay Vitkin NIS 26,000 (about $7,000).

 

Speaking to Ynet, Vitkin, a resident of the Har Bracha settlement in the West Bank, said: "The wheels of justice move slowly, but justice eventually prevails. I hope all police officers will understand that there are laws, and those who do not uphold them will eventually pay the price. They should all understand that they will have to pay out of their own pockets if they use violence against civilians."

 

YHRO director Orit Strook said, "It's unacceptable that a detainee is beaten by a police officer at the police station and the other officers do nothing to stop the abuse."

 

 


פרסום ראשון: 11.24.11, 21:22
 new comment
Warning:
This will delete your current comment