Russian Compound, Jerusalem - Remand Extension

Translation: Marganit W.

Judge: Lieutenant Colonel Menahem Lieberman

Investigator: Afif Mahmoud

Defense: Firas Sabah, Aouda Zbeidi

Two cases in the docket.

Joda Jamal Joda Hushiya – ID 8600062041

Defense: Firas Sabah

The police requests 12 additional days for the investigation.

After an exchange between the investigator and the defense, Atty.  Firas sums up: the suspect is cooperating. He made a statement to the police on 10.3.14. His last interrogation was on 11.3.14. Based on the investigator’s report, the defense concludes that the investigation is complete. The last interrogations were conducted by the Shabak [GSS]. Thus, there is no need for further remand. The file should be transferred to the prosecution.

The suspect asks to speak to the court. Greatly agitated, he tries to tell the court how he got into this predicament. He claims he has no ties to Hamas or any other organization. His Facebook account had been hacked and it was filled with anti-Israeli comments. It was not his doing; he had nothing to do with it.

Judge’s summation and decision: Justice Lieberman says he was handed an orderly file enumerating the charges against the suspect. The defense claims that the suspect is cooperative and that he gave the necessary statements, so he does not have to be kept at the Russian Compound.

The judge has examined the material and found an inconsistency between the suspect’s version and the evidence in the file. The charges are serious. But right now there is no admissible evidence to substantiate the suspicions. Thus, the investigators need more time to complete the process.

He adds 12 more days. If there is no progress, the case must be brought to a conclusion.

Kana’an Suleiman Muhammad Kana’an

Defense: Aouda Zbeidi

There is an agreement between the sides. The suspect will be transferred to the Ofer detention compound this week, meaning the file now goes to the prosecution.