Hundreds of protesters have gathered outside the house of Shin Bet head Yoram Cohen, demanding the release of the Duma suspects.
They are carrying signs reading “Jews don’t torture Jews,” and “Prosecutors stop persecuting.”
Four protesters were detained by authorities, then released several minutes later.
The lawyers for the suspects, who are accused of arson and murder in the Arab village of Duma, held a press conference earlier this week in which the declared it to be “a sad day for the justice system and the rule of law. Suspects have no rights in a Shin Bet interrogation room.
There is no judge and no judge, and they can do whatever they wan to a prisoner’s body. Yesterday, I met with a minor after 21 days, and I saw what a trying time he had. Senior officers in the Shin Bet entered the interrogation room and used methods of torture and physical violence against a minor.”
He described listening to his client. “He wasn’t allowed to sleep. He was cuffed around the arms and legs. Interrogators entered and began violently attacking his sensitive organs so badly that at one point he could no longer feel anything, including kicks and slaps.”
In light of this, the lawyer submitted an appeal to the Supreme Court this evening (Saturday), demanding that the beatings stop.
Itamar Ben-Gvir, from the legal defense organization Honenu, is asking for a temporary injunction forcing the Shin Bet to explain why it will not stop beating one of the detainees who is still forbidden from speaking with a lawyer. Ben Gvir also claims that there was a mix-up in the interrogation unit and that the extension order against his client is effectively over.
He now demands to see the prisoner.
“This abuse is against the law of Israel and includes physical violence, sleep deprivation, attacking his sensitive organs, and more.
The law in the State of Israel, as well as international law, does not allow such abuse, and certainly not in the current situation. Basic democratic values demand that the Court intervene,” he stated in the appeal.
He added: “The Jewish values of justice even demand that the Court intervene in this. The Shin Bet’s interrogation will not lead to finding the culprits and to exposing the case, but at most to finding scapegoats for acts they did not do in order to prevent further abuse.
In light of the fact that they are still avoiding a meeting with the undersigned, the undersigned was forced to submit this appeal without declaration.
He would be very happy to meet with his client and to have him sign the declaration. Consequently, and in view of the above, the honorable Court is asked to accept this appeal and to place a temporary injunction.
The honorable Court is asked to demand a discussion this very evening, to deal with cases of life and death!”
