Honenu Attorneys Rom (L) and Keidar (R); Photo credit: Honenu
Thursday, November 28, 2024, 16:42 On Tuesday, several soldiers, police officers, and a civilian were detained on suspicion of beating an Arab in the Jordan Valley several months ago. After two days of interrogation, the military court released one of the detainees, a reservist in a combat unit, who was about enlist in the Israel Police. Honenu Attorney Adi Keidar is representing the soldier.
Attorney Keidar issued a statement: “We welcome the release of my client. Unfortunately, the Military Criminal Investigation Division (MCID) is apparently still harassing heroic IDF soldiers. Instead of prosecuting Nukhba terrorists, the MCID defends them. The MCID must immediately stop their persecution of the soldiers who are risking their lives defending Israel. The complainant in this case is a terrorist. His phone was found to have incriminating photographs and other criminal material. The evidence points to weapons crimes and support of a terror organization.”
The soldier’s mother added, “My son is the salt of the earth. Before his enlistment, he was set on joining the Air Force, but in the end decided on three years of meaningful service. Three months ago, he completed his mandatory service and immediately enlisted in reserve duty, while also starting the process of joining the police. My son was detained on his way to another day of reserve duty, one day before his enlistment in the police. He only wanted to contribute to the State as much as he could. Is this the treatment he deserves? To be interrogated like a suspect of a violent crime? My son’s commanders, including his battalion commander, know the incident for which he was detained very well, and they support his actions. He never took part in violent acts. Although he is pleasant to everyone, they made him out to be a dangerous man.”
In another hearing, at the Rishon LeTzion Magistrates Court, the civilian was released to house arrest. The police, who had requested an eight day remand extension, announced that they would appeal the decision. Honenu Attorney Nati Rom is representing the civilian.
Attorney Rom also issued a statement: “I thank the court for releasing my client and ruling that he was not involved in the incident of which he was accused. The intolerable ease with which an innocent civilian can be detained is a disgrace. My client is a senior academic lecturer, a devoted volunteer in the border police who has neither a criminal record nor a fault among his acts. It is shameful that he can be accused of violent acts and abduction. We regret this idiotic attempt to defame my client. I hope that the law enforcement agents will internalize the court’s ruling and learn how to distinguish between friend and foe.”