Russian Compound, Jerusalem - Danger to Regional Security, Remand Extension

Translation: Marganit W.

Russian Compound  

Judge: Lieut.-Col. Shalom Dahan

Police Investigator: Omri Awida

Defense: Atty. Nery Ramati, Judd Kadmani, Firas Sabah, Tarek Bargout

There were 6 cases in the docket. We watched 3 of them.

Our entry into the court was delayed because no guard was available to frisk us. This kind of body examination is performed only on us and quite often we are delayed.

The (female) guard who eventually came to check us could not understand why the metal detector is not adequate for us, as it is for others who come to the court.

Abed Alrahim Ahmad Mahmoud Awad - ID 853653095

On 28.5.13 Hava Halevi and Nitza Aminov reported on the remand extension of this suspect.

Today, 10.6.13, was the continuation of that hearing. This time the suspect was brought to the Russian Compound: there is a new charge that the GSS needs to investigate. Again we hear how many new procedures are needed for an investigation: in this case 4.

In his summation, the defense attorney states that he would like to see photos of the suspect showing the injuries he suffered during the interrogation. The investigator said that since the police conducted the interrogation, it is difficult to print the photos; thus the judge is unable see them and form an opinion. The photos can be found on line.

The defense asked to reduce the number of days of the investigation and to transfer the case to the prosecution, as was determined in the last remand extension.

The judge’s decision: based on his examination of the confidential material and on the defense’s cogent argument: 4-day remand and recommendation to the investigative agents to make an effort to transfer the case to the prosecution.

Ali Ahmad Ali Salah – ID 911587681

Defense: Atty. Judd Kadmani and Tarek Bargout

The Police Investigator requested 15-day remand to complete the investigation.

The suspect was arrested on 12.5.13.

From the Defense’s questions we gathered the following: Salah is suspected of military activity aimed at security forces in the region and of placing an explosive charge. He has denied the allegations all along.

The defense wanted to know if detaining his client is aimed at preventing the disruption of proceedings. The investigator agreed, adding that there is another reason: the detainee is dangerous.

In his summation, the defense agreed that this intricate case requires thorough investigation, as there is an attempt to implicate his client in an event that he denies any involvement in.

The reason, presumably, is that he is a barber in his village Al-Hader: in his shop he hears people talk and so the authorities expect him to incriminate other people. Here is a quote from the protocol: “He is detained not because he is a suspect, but as a hostage, so he can name names and provide information. His case generated a lot of interrogations.”

The detainee was barred from seeing his attorney from the day after his arrest until 6.6.13. He was not interrogated during the last 12 days. Only yesterday, before his remand extension, was he interrogated.

The judge’s decision: remand extension for 8 days.