Ofer - Administrative Detention, Minors

Translation: Marganit W.

Judge: Major Amir Dahan

Prosecutor: Captain Avishai Kaplan

Defense: Atty. Haled Alaraj

Defendant: Abed Al-Kader Jaber Ali Titi, ID 937725224 - Case 4375/13

The hearing was supposed to be a summing up session, except that Abed Titi declared at the outset that he did not want Attorney Alaraj to represent him.

Justice Dahan, who speaks fluent Arabic, listened to his statement, then translated it for the benefit of the prosecutor.
The accused said: I have been under administrative detention since 9.2.12, charged with membership and activity in the Popular Front [for the Liberation of Palestine]. The administrative detention ended on 8.8.13, whereupon criminal charges were issued against me for the same membership and activity. The attorney who represented me did not act on my behalf and did not make any progress in the case, and therefore I no longer want him to represent me. It is inconceivable that the administrative detention would not impinge on the criminal detention.

The judge explained that a detention of more than a year and a half is close to the penalty normally meted for membership in an unlawful organization.

A discussion ensued and a search was conducted to find another attorney to defend the prisoner. Eventually, Atty. Jamil Hatib undertook to represent him. Atty. Hatib asked to see the indictment so he could adduce new evidence. The judge decided that the court would regard the case as starting with the administrative detention of 7.8.12.

A hearing was set for 28.10.13

After the hearing I spoke to Abed Titi’s brother. He lives in Al-Aroub refugee camp and it turned out that we have common acquaintances. He told me that two more brothers are in detention, one is at Ofer detention facility, and so far the family has not been allowed to visit him. The other is 16 and also at Ofer.

I advised him to contact Atty. Iyad Misk who specializes in minor detainees.