The Israel Justice Ministry Police Investigations Unit has decided to file charges against a policeman who allegedly assaulted Yoelish Krauss, the operations officer of the Eida Chareidis.

The incident took place in Jerusalem’s Sanhedria neighborhood a few months ago when Yoelish saw Mekorot Water Company officials placing a hose in a dug out area. He asked if they had permission from Israel Antiquities Authority officials, to which they responded they did not. Yoelish climbed into the ditch and refused to leave to prevent their continued work. A policeman guarding the area was summoned, and he placed Krauss in a police car.

According to Yoelish, he was not transported to the Russian Compound police station as expected, but handcuffed and taken to an area near French Hill, where police beat him. When he began shouting due to the pain, the policeman told him to “shut up or I’ll kill you”.

Krauss eventually filed a complaint and police vehemently denied such an event occurred. Eventually, Krauss was subjected to a polygraph exam and proven to be telling the truth. Investigators began to reveal holes in the validity of the policeman’s version of the events.

Eventually, after completing the investigation, the Justice Ministry unit informed Krauss that criminal charges will be filed against the policeman, including assault and battery. Yoelish’s attorney, Gal Gorodisky is also filing a civil suit against the policeman. Gorodisky stated the assault was carried out by a policeman who is not a Jew.

(Yechiel Spira – YWN Israel)