Israeli soldier gets two weeks in military prison for shooting Palestinian

Two whole weeks!? Sharon would be scandalized.
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Last update - 13:44 01/12/2006


IDF soldier gets two weeks in military prison for shooting Palestinian

By Amira Hass, Haaretz Correspondent

An Israel Defense Forces soldier, who shot and seriously injured a Palestinian at a roadblock, was sentenced to 14 days in a military prison. Military Police will investigate further.

The soldier shot Haytem Yasin, 25, on November 4, at the roadblock of Asira al-Shemaliya. Yasin is being treated at Beilinson hospital in Petah Tikva, where he is in serious condition as a result of major abdominal injuries.

According to testimonies collected by the human rights group B'Tselem, Yasin was shot aft
er he told the soldiers that they should not ask women to run their hands over their bodies as a means of searching for concealed arms.

Military sources told Haaretz that the investigation at the brigade level was completed earlier this week, and a probe was carried out on Thursday at the divisional level based on the evidence collected in the first investigation. It was also decided that the case would be transferred to the Military Police for further examination.

According to a senior military source, the trial of the soldier by a disciplinary court would prevent bringing him before a court martial.

The details of the incident collected by B'Tselem suggest that the soldier pushed Yasin in response to his comment, and Yasin pushed the soldier back. The soldier then hit Yasin, and two other soldiers joined the fracas, trying to grab Yasin, and hit him, while Yasin tried resisting. At some point the soldiers fired in the air and on the ground. Even after Yasin fell to the ground, they grabbed and threw him against the cement blocks used to make a roadblock. He was cuffed and the soldiers continued to hit and kick him.

Yasin had been living with his parents in Algeria, and came to visit for several months. When his parents learned of the injuries their son had suffered, they returned to the territories.

Hat tip to qrswave: IDF soldier gets 2 wks in military prison