‘S’, a resident of Yitzhar, who arrived at the home of relatives in the northern region of Israel on a visit was detained on Tuesday, February 7, 2012 and taken to the Rosh Pina police station on suspicion of conspiring to commit a crime. After an interrogation lasting several hours S’ was unconditionally released.

In a discussion with a representative from Honenu S’ described the events. According to him he went to visit relatives in the Galil town of Meron. On his way home, at approximately 23:15, he was stopped outside of Rosh Pina for a routine license check. After his license was checked with the police console he was asked where he lived, and when he replied that he is a resident of Yitzhar, he was asked the reason for his being in the area. In reply to S’s question on whether it is a problem for a resident of Yitzhar to be in that area, he was asked to step out of his vehicle so that it could be searched.

During the search work tools were found in the trunk. After several questions the policemen informed him that his responses were insufficient and that he is being detained for interrogation on suspicion of conspiring to commit a crime.

During the interrogation at the Rosh Pina police station S’ was not presented with any accusation relating to the crime to which he was suspected of being connected. In response he told the policemen that he did not intend to cooperate because it was a politically motivated interrogation, because he is a resident of Yitzhar.

Honenu attorney Adi Kedar phoned the police station at 3:00AM in order to speak with the interrogator. The policemen illegally refused to allow him to speak with S’.

(YWN – Israel Desk, Jerusalem)