Ashkelon Prison, Monday, 18.12.06 Observers: Ruti P., Yael A.Judge: Shlomi FriedmanInvestigator: new [don’t know him]There is an interpreter10:55 – 11:00 we are removed from court because the detainee is prohibited.11:05 – 11:10 removed again for same reason.11:20 – 11:25 Adam Abu Betiha Judge: you know what is claimed against you, that you acted against the security of the region. Detainee: I did nothing, I am still studying, neither Hamas nor Fatah.Judge: they jumped on you for no reason? Detainee: yes! I’m still small. Judge: have they interrogated you since the arrest? Detainee: they took me to a police station, didn’t interrogate me at all. Judge: you are sure that you have been detained for a week and they didn’t interrogate you? Detainee: yes. Judge: they are asking to extend the detention by 18 days. What do you have to say? Detainee: nothing. Judge: I didn’t ask who interrogated you. I asked whether they did interrogate? Detainee: the shabak interrogated me, not the police. Judge: I found in the classified report that the accused is linked to the accusations against him, but I did not find an investigative plan for 18 days, so I am extending by 15 days. 11:27 – 11:32 Hassan MahfouzJudge: do you know what you are accused of? Detainee: no. Judge: that you acted against the security of the region. Detainee: nothing. I’m studying in university – the Polytechnic in Hebron. Judge: not active in Hamas? Detainee: no. Judge: they want to hold you for 30 days. Do you have anything to say? Detainee: I don’t. Judge (to investigator): you are asking for 30 days, but that comes to a Wednesday and you are not here. From the report shown to me it appears that the accused is connected to the charge, and together with the seriousness of that and the investigate plan shown me, there is justification for the request. I extend remand by 28 days.11:35 – 11:40 another prohibited detainee, so we exit again.11:40 – 11:45 Ahmad NajahAdvocate Shimon Sharbit received permission to talk to im before he came in for the hearing. Sharbit spoke in whispers, while he remained blindfolded and with his face to the wall in the corner of the corridor. We learn that Sharbit was hired for him by his father and sister. Defense attorney: requests a doctor’s examination, and if the investigation is finished, then he requests that the detainee be returned to a prison facility, and the file be passed to the prosecution. Judge: there is no contradiction between you. The file must be prepared. I have heard the police representative. Sharbit: up to now the detainee was prohibited from meeting a lawyer. I now understand that the prosecution can submit, and meanwhile I can see the file.Investigator: he is under medical supervision. Judge: he is to be taken to a doctor. It’s clear to me that he needs treatment.Sharbit: instructs the detainee to go to a doctor. Judge: agrees with the defense attorney, and extends remand by 15 days to 1.1.07.It should be noted that the exchanges between the judge, defense attorney and investigator were not translated for the detainee.11:45 – 11:50 Atala Ismail RaiJudge: you are accused of acting against the security of the region. Detainee: what is against the security of the region? Judge: you did bad things against people. Detainee: I was released eight months ago. Haven’t managed to do anything. Judge: what were you in prison for? when were you in prison? Detainee: 2005 – 2006. Judge: you had weapons? Detainee: no. I request that the file be transferred for the end of the investigation, to the prosecution. Judge: you want them to submit an indictment against you? You don’t want to go home? Detainee: you will let me go home? Judge: ask what you want. Detainee: let me go home. Judge: not that I agree with the request, bu it sounds more serious. From the material submitted to me, I see that the accused is linked to the charges attributed to him, and there is need to continue the investigation, so I extend remand until 1.1.07. 11:50 – 12:05 (we didn’t catch the name)A detainee entered who looked ill, all bent over, used the podium in order to stand.Detainee: I ask to say something to the judge. Judge: they claim that you acted against the security of the region, and they want to extend your detention by 18 days in order to submit an indictment. Detainee (whispering): Till now I am a month in detention, 24 days in interrogation. They have interrogated me 24 days on something I did not do, and I didn’t want to eat so that on the 25th day I would die. General agreement that they do not understand him. Judge: are you eating now? Detainee: now I eat (he related that he asked to drink and was told there is no water, he asked to eat and was told there is no food. The interpreter does not succeed in translating, and the investigator tries to help, and both are in difficulties). Detainee: they tied my hands and feet. The judge is angry that there is no good translation of the detainee. Detainee: I was visited by the Red Cross, and they saw what had been done to me. and then I began to ask for water, and they brought and let me go to the toilets, though I had no reason to go. Judge: but you stopped eating. Why did you stop eating on the 25th day? Detainee: I felt that I was in prison and they are interrogating me, till when? Judge: what has that to do with it>? Why did you stop eating? Detainee: I remained 24 days in prison, and I felt that either they release me or I must die. Judge: they interrogate you and you must live. Don’t mix things. The only one hurt by it is you! The interpreter is unable to translate, and asks the investigator’s assistance.Detainee: I asked for water and they didn’t give me. I asked for blankets and they didn’t give me. They said I would only get water if I ate! Judge: I find that the accused is linked to the charges against him, and I extend remand until 4.1.07.The judge instructs the prison authorities to pay attention that the accused is receiving neither water nor blankets, ajnd in addition he asks them to pay attention to his mental state and to deal with him accordingly.