14 members of the Palestinian security face military trial
Fourteen members of the Palestinian security forces will face a military trial after being formally accused over the killing of prominent activist Nizar Banat, whose death sparked protests and global condemnation.
Leading critic
of the Palestinian Authority, Banat, and its 86-year old president Mahmud Abbas
died in June after security forces stormed his home in the flashpoint city of
Hebron and dragged him away. Spokesman told that those indictments included
charges such as beating leading to death with premeditated murder, use of
torture, disobeying military orders, and unlawful confiscation.
It was also
stated that the other levels denied that they gave orders other than the arrest
warrant, and stressed that the arrest must be in accordance with the law
without the use of force or beatings. The lawyer added that the trials are
expected to be swift, with the possibility of a verdict next week. He predicted
that the sentences will not be less than seven years and may include life
sentences.
Regarding the
attendance of representatives of human rights organizations at the trial
sessions, Amin said the court has approved the family’s request for the trial
to be public. In addition to criticizing the authority, Mr. Banat took aim
at Israel; at Mohammed Dahlan, an exiled rival of Mr. Abbas; and at the
L.G.B.T.Q. community. The trial of the security forces is slated to begin in
coming days. Without hope for achieving justice in the Palestinian court system,
the Banat family said they have turned to international authorities for help.
Protesters took
to the streets after Mr. Banat’s death, with security forces taking sometimes
violent measures to stop them. Recently, protests over Mr. Banat’s death have
lost momentum, but an attempt to renew them in Ramallah in late August was
stymied by security forces who arrested more than two dozen people.
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