Suspicion: Top Prison Service officer took part in mass brawl
Youngster sustains serious wounds in fight between two rival clans in northern Arab community; IPS officer claims acted in self defense
A lieutenant colonel in the Israel Prison Service was arrested Saturday for his alleged involvement in a brawl that broke out over the weekend in Bu'eine Nujeidat, an Arab-Israeli community in the Lower Galilee region.
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An 18-year-old who was injured in the scuffle was evacuated in serious condition to the Rambam Medical Center in Haifa. The IPS officer, who sustained light to moderate injuries, was also treated at the hospital.
A police investigation found that the brawl broke out between two rival clans over a long-standing dispute. The IPS officer, who was arrested by Tiberias Police on suspicion of involvement in a fight with four young men, told interrogators he was attacked and acted in self defense.
Residents of the community said the scuffle resumed Saturday morning. "Those involved in the brawl were relatives, and this is not the first time they have fought each other," a Bu'eine Nujeidat resident said.
"It began Friday evening and continued the following morning. Some people tried to calm them down, but to no avail."
Raanan Ben-Zur contributed to the report
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