[VIDEO IN EXTENDED ARTICLE]

The Ministry of Justice’s Police Internal Affairs Unit has moved ahead with a criminal indictment against a border policeman accused of unjustifiably beating a chareidi protester at a protest against chilul Kevarim in Beit Shemesh. The complaint was filed and handled by attorney Itamar Ben-Givir in the form of a civil suit against the policeman, seeking 200,000 NIS in damages.

The incident occurred in Elul 5773 during a stormy protest. The victim tried opening a police car door claiming he wished to give one of the detainees in the vehicle his hat which had fallen off. The policeman maintained he was trying to help the prisoners in the vehicle escape. After the man opened the door the policeman chased after him, knocked him to the ground and then began hitting and punching him mercilessly. It got so bad other policemen who were witness to what occurred called on their colleague to stop. As the prisoner was escorted to the police vehicle the policeman continued to hit him. After being arrested he was transported to a hospital.

After being discharged from the hospital he turned to the ביושר organization for assistance. Ben-Givir filed the civil suit against the policeman and the department and also turned to the Justice Ministry to take appropriate action against the policeman.

The policeman will face charges including aggravated assault and battery. If he is found guilty he is likely to be sent to prison.

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(YWN – Israel Desk, Jerusalem)