Ofer - Administrative Detention, Detention until conclusion of proceedings

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Observers: 
Vivi Sury, Nitza Aminov (reporting)
Sep-24-2017
|
Morning

Translation: Marganit W.

 

Something else that is overlooked by the military courts

 

One thing that the military court does not address is the “paddy wagon” (“Posta” in Prison lingo). The detaineesinfo-icon are collected from various prisons at 2 AM, remain handcuffed for long hours in the vehicle, without food, and often with no air condition or heating (depending on the season). After the court hearing they return to their respective prisons late at night.

The detainees consider the ride in the “Posta” as a form of torture.

 

We bring this up in connection to the case of Amira Takatka.

We attended her remand extension hearing before Judge Lieut. Col. Hanan Rubinstein.

 

Amira Takatka, a resident of Beit Fajer, was arrested on 2.8.17on charges of terrorism.

An indictment was submitted on 14.8.17. A hearing was scheduled for that day and she was brought in from jail. The hearing was then postponed to 10.9 at Atty. Merar’s request, because there was a change in the defense and Atty. Shadfan needed time to study the case. Today we were informed that the defense is in the hands of an attorney from the “Prisoners Club.” However, Atty. Munzer Abu Ahmad claimed that Amira was not included in the list of detainees he was representing today.

The judge inferred from the file that there was ground for detention and ordered remand extension until the end of the proceedings. However, he added that if within 60 days a representative of the detainee would petition to rescind the decision, there would be a new hearing.

By our count Amira has been brought to court five times! And that before the trial has even begun!

 

We saw handcuffed prisoners brought to Courtroom 8 (special hearings court). We tried to get in, but were told that it was a hearing of administrative detention so we could not attend.

Attys. Mahmoud Hasan and Ashraf Abu-Snina told us that there were ten hearings of administrative detention today.

 

We were saddened when Amira’s mother told us during the intermission that she had been unable to arrive on time, thus she had missed seeing her daughter. During the hearing the judge said that he would allow family members who were late to see Amira, but this did not happen and the mother left frustrated and dismayed .

 

Conversations in the yard:

We had a long chat with a family from Jilazoun refugee camp. As always, I wanted to know from where the family had been evicted in 1948. The father said his family was from Yazour (Azor today). 120 dunams that belonged to his uncle were appropriated by the British to build the airport at Lod. His wife’s family is from Jaffa.

It is important to note that these days Palestinians come in contact only with settlers and with soldiers. They appreciate those talks with us and our interest in the past history of Palestine.