Representing Resident of Al-Araqib and Human Rights Activists on 10 Criminal Indictments Related to Protest Activities Concerning the Repeated Demolition of the Village Al-Araqib in the Naqab

Adalah is currently representing several detainees and defendants who participated in protests against repeated home demolitions and forcible expulsions from the unrecognized Arab Bedouin village of Al-Araqib in the Naqab (Negev) before the Beer el-Sabe (Beer Sheva) Magistrates' Court.

The State of Israel has issued ten indictments since the beginning of 2011 against protestors on numerous charges, including acquiring territory by force, violating a legal order, assaulting police officers, and insulting public officials. Some of the indictments apply to a number or defendants. All deliberations on the criminal cases filed against the Al-Araqib protestors are still in the preliminary stages.

The protestors receiving legal representation from Adalah include the following:

• Dr. Awad Abu Freih, the spokesperson for the village of Al-Araqib and member of the Bedouin Education Authority in the Naqab. He was arrested on 17 February 2011 for allegedly inciting violence and insulting a public official. Adalah succeeded to secure his release from detention. For more details, see: http://www.adalah.org/eng/pressreleases/pr.php?file=22_01_02_11
• Mr. Hamza Abu-Medeghem, who was arrested on 17 January 2011 and charged with assaulting police by throwing stones, accusations that he denies. He was placed under house arrest until the end of proceedings against him. Following a motion filed by Adalah, the court allowed Mr. Abu-Medeghem to go out to work, easing the conditions of his house arrest. For more details, see: http://www.adalah.org/eng/pressreleases/pr.php?file=27_1_03_11

For more information about the home demolitions and the history of the village of Al-Araqib, see: http://www.adalah.org/eng/pressreleases/pr.php?file=22_01_02_11