Russian Compound, Jerusalem - Remand Extension, Barred (from meeting with attorney)

Translation: Marganit W.

Russian Compound

Judge: Oren Boaz (Res.)

Police Investigator: Hader Mustafa

Defense: Judd Kadmani

Two cases in the docket, one of a detainee barred from seeing an attorney.

Ahmad Mahmoud Hassin Halifa – ID 852231869

On 6.5.13 we attended Ahmad’s first remand extension. He was arrested on 5.5.13 and charged with throwing rocks and participating in a disturbance of the peace.

Today, 3.5.13, he is brought in for another remand extension.

The Investigator requests 8 more days. This time the charge is different: he is suspected of activity threatening security in the region, popular terrorism and belonging to Hamas.

The defense asks questions (after conferring with the client): were there any developments that led to this new investigation on new charges?

Yes, there were developments just now, the judge says.

The defense asks about the interrogation the suspect has undergone. Was he handcuffed during the interrogation? Was he forced into certain positions?

“I don’t know,” says the investigator.

The judge is silent.

Were there incriminations? Asks the defense.

I can’t answer, says the investigator, the file is confidential.

The defense concludes that there have been many interrogations and the detention should be over. He requests the court to decrease the number of days of investigation.

The judge’s summation: the accumulated evidence points to suspicions against the suspect. There is enough here to convict. Moreover, there has been significant progress in the investigation and that warrantees continued investigation. Hence, remand extension for 7 days.

Raed Issa Hosni Abdel Aziz – ID 405005356

The suspect is barred from meeting an attorney.

Before the hearing begins, the judge asks us to leave. We show him the High Court of Justice injunction that recommends to allow us, MachsomWatch women, to serve as civil observers representing the public.

His honor examines the document and decides that we cannot attend hearings in which the defense is not present.

The suspect was born in 1992. The charge: military activity against security in the region.

Since his arrest he has been interrogated by the Shabak, but not by the police.

The defense wants to make sure the suspect is aware of his rights. The Investigator says, Sure, he signed a form in Arabic.

The defense concludes: he objects to the remand extension requested by the police investigator, i.e., 15 additional days of interrogation.

The defense asks the judge to play the role of the defense when he sees the detainee, since he is barred from meeting his attorney. He adds that this aspect of the judge’s role in remand extensions of “barred” detainees is not very effective.

We left the room and the detainee was led in.