Channels

Radical left-wing activist in court

Left-wing activist suspected of contacting foreign agent

The activist, who cannot be named, had his detention extended by a week on Tuesday. He is also suspected of passing on information that led to the death of a Palestinian who sold land to Jews. Police also believe that his activities endangered state security.

A radical left-wing activist who was arrested on suspicion of passing on information that led to the death of a Palestinian who sold land to Jews is also suspected of contacting a foreign agent.

 

 

The law defines such a suspect as someone who there are reasonable grounds to suspect has collected confidential information on behalf of a foreign state or terrorist organization, or who has carried out any other activity that is liable to endanger state security.

 

A left-wing activist who was arrested on suspicion of passing on information that led to the death of a Palestinian and of contacting a foreign agent (Photo: Ohad Tzvigenburg)
A left-wing activist who was arrested on suspicion of passing on information that led to the death of a Palestinian and of contacting a foreign agent (Photo: Ohad Tzvigenburg)

 

The suspect, whose details are under gag order, claimed in a television expose that he had in the past transferred details on sellers of Palestinian land that led to the death of one of them. It is this activity which police believe may endanger state security. In addition, he is suspected of being connected to the commission of a crime.

 

The suspect was arrested at Ben Gurion Airport on Monday while trying, according to suspicions, to flee the country. On Tuesday, the Jerusalem Magistrates' Court extended his detention by seven days. Because he is suspected of endangering state security, he has been barred from meeting a lawyer for five days.

 

The investigation into the suspect's activities is being handled by the Samaria and Judea District Police.

 

The judge barred the publication of his details out of concern that this may interfere with the investigation. As such, it was also ruled that hearings regarding the suspect and his activities will be held behind closed doors as they will touch on matters of state security. The judge also forbade photographing of the suspect in the court passageways.

 

The suspect's lawyer, Lea Tsemel, said on Tuesday in response to the investigation: "The police are trying to create symmetry between the Duma murderers and my client. The same method and the same practice. It won't help them."

 

A number of left-wing activists arrived at the court on Tuesday in support of the suspect, including Rabbis for Human Rights head Rabbi Arik Ascherman. Ascherman stressed that he was there in his own name and not on behalf of the organization.

 

"I have known and respected him for many years," Ascherman said of the suspect. "He is not a perfect individual, but he has done a lot of good in the world." Ascherman said that as far as he is concerned, the suspect simply boasted and had not done anything more than that.

 

"Because of the severity of the matter we are looking into it seriously. Every Palestinian in the South Hebron Hills knows him. If there is an attack there by Israelis at dawn they all know they can call him, and he'll be there," Ascherman said.

 

According to him, the suspect had good connections with area residents, and not just Palestinians but some of the settlers as well.

 

Ascherman added: "The NGO has frozen its work with the activist until there is a clear horizon. We are taking it seriously. No one like what was said. Nonetheless, Jewish tradition states that even God cannot judge a person until He has examined something himself, and therefore we need to clarify whether there is something more than boastfulness here."

 


פרסום ראשון: 01.13.16, 18:16
 new comment
Warning:
This will delete your current comment