The Kfar Saba Magistrate Court on Tuesday, 11 Cheshvan 5774 ordered the release of Yitzhar resident Boaz Albert, who was brutally arrested by police that abused their tasers. Albert was since released and rearrested, for violating the administrative order that prohibits him from remaining in his home in Shomron. There was a long standoff as Albert chained himself to prevent the arrest but police ultimately prevailed.

Amid the battery of charges against him, police included an assault against an Arab for good measure. Until now, he was held for violating administrative orders and he was never charged with a crime. Housing Minister (Bayit Yehudi) Uri Ariel advocated on his behalf and visited him in prison. He called on authorities to release him unless they were charging him with crimes, which they now have done.

The court rejected a police request to hold the suspect behind bars without bail, and ordered his immediate release, albeit with restrictions. The court was also critical of the prosecution for suddenly charging him with assault against an Arab man for an incident that allegedly occurred over a half year ago. The court questioned the integrity of the facts in that case, the alleged assault.

(YWN – Israel Desk, Jerusalem)