ISRAELI POLICEMAN, SUSPECTED OF KILLING PALESTINIAN IN NEGEV, RELEASED

Negev, 24 Rabi’ul Akhir 1436/14 February 2015 (MINA) – An Israeli court on Friday (13/2) released a policeman suspected of shooting dead the Palestinian young man Sami Ja’aar a month ago in Rahat town in the Negev.

The Israeli Judge Moshe Drori claimed that there was no evidence to retain the policeman in custody despite the fact that the Police Investigation Unit confirmed that he shot at the Palestinian young man who posed no threat to the policeman, Palestinian Information Center (PIC) quoted by Mi’raj Islamic News Agency (MINA) as reporting.

The policeman denied the charge and tried to change his story several times during the investigation which indicates his false testimony, according to the investigation unit.

A state of anger and tension has prevailed in Rahat town over the court’s decision.

For its part, the Popular Committee in the town threatened to step up protests against the continued detention of dozens of local youths who were nabbed over their participation in rallies organized in Rahat in protest at the killing of two Palestinians by Israeli gunfire a month ago.

A protest sit-in tent will be pitched outside the police station in Rahat in case the Israeli arrest campaign did not come to an end, the committee said. (T/P006/P3)

Mi’raj Islamic News Agency (MINA)