A former prisoner serving in the Torah Wing of Massiyahu Prison as the same time as Shas leader Aryeh Deri lost a court case seeking payment from Deri.
The former prisoner learned with Deri and as a result of studying in prison with a former minister, his photo was published. This occurred 14 years ago.
When the former minister of the interior entered prison to begin serving his sentence it created a media frenzy. Due to his former senior government position and his leadership role in Shas, his imprisonment was a major media event that was accompanied by photos in the media for a period of time. Paparazzi photographers worked hard to get any photos of the convicted minister in prison.
Photos were taken of Deri with other prisoners during shiurei Torah and published in Yediot Achronot. The prisoner filing the suit seeking damages, “S”, felt his rights were violated because he was shown in prison in a national newspaper. Family members explained he tried very hard to hide the fact he was imprisoned. The photos family members explain caused “S” psychological trauma. The family sought a media blackout on the lawsuit as well. The Supreme Court rejected the request, and the case was heard on the district court level.
The court rejected the prisoner’s case stating anyone sitting in the courtyard of a prison cannot seek such privacy rights. The court added that previous cases involving privacy rights in prison ruled a jail cell is not a private domain and authorities may maintain photographic surveillance. The lawsuit seeking monetary damages was rejected.
(YWN – Israel Desk, Jerusalem)
Join the official YWN WhatsApp status
One Response
Filing a lawsuit will usually also bring some attention to you as well. Does this prisoner think he has right to privacy about the fact that he committed a crime and was sent to jail?