Petah Tikva - Remand Extension, Health Problems
Translation: L.W.
The hour is 09:40. Today's judge - Major Itai Regev - arrives. Very friendly and open to everyone, including detainees
, who never, but never, disagrees with the interrogators' requests and the interrogators' lack of willingness to release even a little information to the defense attorneys. Every response ("It's in the confidential file" or "It's classified material") is accepted by his agreement. Therefore, the above responses are automatically given on any question asked by an attorney. No need even to check the detainee's file.
Requests for detention days are fully approved.
Then enters Major Miri, deputy of Yair Tirosh, Chief Justice of Samaria Military Courts. She inspects the area and says that she wants to make a few changes to improve the conditions for whoever attends the court facilities. She asks the interpreter to bring chairs out for us while we wait outside the courtroom during the hearings regarding detainees prohibited from meetings with lawyers [which we are not allowed to attend].
I tried to clarify with the lawyers what happens with meals for Muslim detainees during Ramadan. Do they get food in the evening [when they break the Fast]? The lawyers didn't know, but assumed that the detainees save the daytime food for the evenings...
Hearings begin at 10:00. Detainees who are prohibited from meeting a lawyer are taken in first.
There are 4 "prohibited" detainees, among today's 11 brought in for remand extensions.
There are no armed police at the back of the courtroom, for the third week running, yet no detainee attempts to rebel. Everything is tranquil - whether military police are present or not. When they are present, at the back of the courtroom, they yawn from boredom, and there are even some who read books.
In almost every case, there was argument between the attorney and the interrogator regarding the number of remand days requested by the interrogator. The main (and sole) contention was that the holydays period is starting, and that there is insufficient manpower for interrogations of so many detainees. There are not enough workdays in any holyday week. There is no problem in denying freedom of a human being for a prolonged period just because we have our holydays and must be free from work....
Because of the holyday, the next session was brought forward to Sunday, 28.9.08.
1. Prohibited - Muataz Ahmad Sharif Nahle, ID 850042904, from Ramallah, arrested 18.9.08, request: 15 days remand
Prohibition: 5 days, from 21.9.08.
Attorney: Mahajne
Decision: 15 days remand.
2. Prohibited - Ysser Abd Al Magid Ibrahim Zalah, ID 852455674, from Ramallah,
arrested 18.9.08,
request: 15 days
Prohibition: 5 days, from 21.9.08.
Attorney: Mahajne
Decision: 15 days remand.
3. Prohibited - Muhamad Rashdi Ibrahim Zalah, ID 850977349, from Ramallah,
arrested 18.9.08,
request: 15 days
Prohibition: 5 days, from 21.9.08.
Attorney: Mahajne
Decision: 15 days remand.
4. Prohibited - Muhamad Nafad Adel Mussa Duwikat, ID 851990697, from Nablus,
arrested 18.9.08,
request: 15 days
Prohibition: 3 days, from 23.9.08.
Attorney: Mahajne
Decision: 15 days remand.
5. Asmar Abd Al Hafiz Muhammad Asmar, ID 03264227, from Nablus,
arrested 17.9.08,
request: 15 days
Attorney: Samar Sama'an
Decision: 15 days.
6.Yussuf Mahmoud Muhammad Elbaz, ID 905016010, from Qalqiliya,
arrested 29.7.08,
request: 15 days
Attorney Mahajne: the suspect admits that he had a computer with pictures. Is there a crime in having photos or thoughts that according to the law require detention?
Judge's ruling: holding photos or thoughts are not considered a crime.
15 days remand.
7. Hassan Fathi Husni Tashtush, ID 852520741, fromNablus, arrested 7.9.08,
request: 16 days
A very young man, looks like a child, 18 years old plus a few months. Complains of pain in left eye has not been treated in the detention centre.
Attorney: Jelal Abu Wassell
Decision: 16 days. The detention centre authorities will try to refer him to an eye doctor.
8. Yechiye Salim Muhammad Talet, ID 936077403, from Beit Iba, arrested 7.9.08,
request: 16 days
Attorney Samaan: complains to the judge about the frustration due to the interrogation authority's requesting the longest remands permitted by law, and the fact that the interrogation does not give answers which can enable a proper defense for his clients, and that the religious holydays are an excuse to extend detention beyond what is really needed.
Decision: 16 days.
[Believe me, the judge listened to all the arguments with an expression of empathy and great patience].
9. Kamal Mahmoud Bashir Sharaya, ID 99812752, fromBalata Refugee Camp,
arrested 4.9.08, request: 16 days
Attorney Mahajne: the detainee complains of gall bladder stones causing him extreme pain.
Decision: 16 days remand. If possible, allow detention conditions suiting his medical problems.
10. Muhammad Ali Muhammad Abid, ID 851981613, from Nablus, arrested 18.9.08,
request: 16 days
Attorney: Mahajne
Decision: by agreement of parties 13 days remand.
11. Assab Bashar Assam Bakri, ID 852386655, from Nablus, arrested 3.9.08,
request: 16 days
This is a youngster whose left arm is amputated up to the elbow. His first extension was on 8.9.08. He is 18 years old. He complains of pain in the stump, and shortness of breath. He receives no medical treatment in detention. He was arrested upon return from medical treatment in Jordan.
Attorney: Adnan Rabi (from Jajuliya)
Decision: by agreement of parties 13 days remand.