Update: Courts extend detention of Prawer Plan protestors

(Akka and Beer el-Sabe, Israel) The Akka (Akko) Magistrates’ Court approved the police request to extend the detention of nine (9) protestors, Palestinian citizens of Israel, who were arrested yesterday, 15 July 2013, during a demonstration against the Prawer-Begin Plan in the Arab town of Sakhnin in northern Israel. The police asked for the detention of all 14 protestors to be extended for seven days, in relation to charges of assaulting police officers, obstructing the work of police officers, rioting, and endangering public safety.

The detainees include one minor, ten men, and three women, including Ms. Fathiyya Hussein, Adalah's Office Manager. The court extended the detention of nine of the men for five days and will release the tenth man, the minor and the three women tomorrow, Wednesday 17 July.  Following the court’s decision, Acting General Director of Adalah Attorney Suhad Bishara said, "We condemn the court's decision to extend the detention of nine protestors for five additional days.  The police did not provide any evidence to prove that the extension was necessary.  We were also alarmed by the rulings of the judge throughout the hearing.  He denied the defense team the opportunity to conclude our legal arguments, he refused to see the evidence of violence on the detainees’ bodies, and did not pay attention that the police refused to provide medical aid to the detainees, and he refused to send them to the hospital as demanded by the doctor who checked them." 

The judge also regularly interrupted the examination of the police prosecutor, as Adalah lawyers were investigating the necessity of such a long extension of detention period.  The judge also refused to give the lawyers the opportunity to conclude their arguments in accordance with the law.  Attorney Bishara said, "These actions are a serious violation of the rights of the detainees to due process and a fair trial and we will appeal to the District Court immediately." 

Meanwhile, the Beer el-Sabe (Beer Sheva) Magistrates’ Court has extended the detention of ten (10) protestors until Thursday 18 July.  The remaining two protestors will be released on Wednesday 17 July; all 12 young people were arrested yesterday 15 July at a separate demonstration against the Prawer-Begin Plan held in Beer el-Sabe.  A legal team made up of lawyers from Adalah, Mossawa and Al-Mezan (Nazareth), as well as volunteer private attorneys Shehda Ibn Bari and Salem Abu Medeghem are representing the protestors and preparing an appeal tonight against the decision to extend their detention. 

From the early morning, dozens of activists and supporters of the protestors have also gathered at the courts in a show of solidarity. Protests are continuing today in Beer el-Sabe, Akka, and Yaffa-Tel Aviv.

For more information, see Adalah's "Stop Prawer" Campaign Page

Footage from the demonstrations, 15 July 2013: Beer el-Sabe (video by Dukium) and Sakhnin (video by Rabeea Eid)

 Hundreds of Bedouins and activists protest against the Prawer Plan in the Negev, 15 July 2013 (Photo by Activestills)