The Jerusalem Magistrate’s Court on Thursday 12 Elul 5772 decided not to comply with a police request to remand the suspects in firebomb attack against an Arab vehicle in Gush Etzion.

The suspects in custody are all minors, from the Gush Etzion community of Bat Ayin, accused of hurling a firebomb at the Arab vehicle which resulted in injuries to the occupants, including one person that remains in serious condition in a Jerusalem hospital.

While police requested to extend the remand of the suspects in custody for an additional five days, the court ordered their release on erev shabbos, 13 Elul. One of the suspects was released on Wednesday, 11 Elul. The court did however leave an opening for ‘new information’ that may delay their release on erev shabbos.

Honenu attorney David HaLevi explained the release of one of the defendants on Wednesday “speaks for itself”, regarding the lack of evidence by police. HaLevi feels that police are simply trying to blame the act on the defendants even though they were not at all involved, adding there is no justification to keep 12 and 13-year-old children imprisoned under such conditions.

Honenu’s Adi Kedar is quoted by HaKol HaYehudi as lamenting the fact police have simply trampled the rights of the youths in an effort to build a case. They were prevented from meeting with their attorney, with their parents, and with a state official who by law is compelled to meet with minors in detention.

Kedar plans to petition the court for an urgent hearing on these violations.

(YWN – Israel Desk, Jerusalem)