Three IDF soldiers convicted of abusing Palestinian detainees
All five soldiers are accused of abusing and beating Palestinian detainees who had been arrested for possible involvement in the Givat Asaf terrorist attack in December.
By ILANIT CHERNICKIDF soldiers of the Golani Brigade train for scenarios involving enemies similar to Hezbollah.(photo credit: IDF SPOKESPERSON'S UNIT)
The Jaffa Military Court convicted three IDF soldiers on Thursday from the religious Netzah Yehuda Battalion of aggravated assault of Palestinian detainees.It is expected that they will be sentenced on Sunday.The three admitted to the charges as part of a plea bargain with the military prosecution. According to the agreement, they are to serve six and a half months in prison and will be demoted to the rank of private.Commander of the Netzah Yehuda Battalion, Lt.-Col. Nitai Okashi, said in response to the verdict: “As a commander, I condemn this phenomenon, which we must eradicate. It is important to try not only according to justice, but also with the degree of compassion. Going to prison, this prison, is a shock. The soldiers realize their mistake and have learned their lessons.”Two weeks ago, a plea bargain was signed between the defense counsel of a fourth soldier involved in the same incident and the military prosecution. He and a fifth soldier were from the Kfir Brigade.It was determined that the soldier would take responsibility for his actions, confess and be convicted of aggravated abuse, as well as be sentenced to six and a half months in prison.The fifth soldier, who admitted to acting together with the fourth, is expected to be sentenced to six months in prison and to be demoted in rank to a private.All five soldiers are accused of abusing and beating Palestinian detainees who had been arrested for possible involvement in the Givat Assaf terrorist attack in December.It is believed the convicted soldiers were friends with the two soldiers from Netzah Yehuda who had been killed in the attack.
