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OPEN AN INQURREY INTO ATTMPTED RAPE OF PALESTINIAN DETAINEE BY AN ARMY OFFICERMonday 12 Aug 2002
author: PCATI ([email protected])
summary
PCATI has called upon the General Attorney, Elyakim Rubinstein, and the Commander of the Investigative Military Police, Yoram Tsahor, to investigate the complaint of Mr. As’ad Himuni, 29 years old, from Bethlehem, that an Israeli army officer had attempt to rape him, and had beaten him severely, in the Ofer military prison on April 28, 2002.
August 12, 2002
The Public Committee Against Torture in Israel calls upon the Attorney General, Elyakim Rubinstein, and the Commander of the Investigative Military Police, Yoram Tsahor:
OPEN AN INQURREY INTO THE ATTMPTED RAPE OF A PALESTINIAN DETAINEE BY AN ARMY OFFICER
PCATI has called upon the General Attorney, Elyakim Rubinstein, and the Commander of the Investigative Military Police, Yoram Tsahor, to investigate the complaint of Mr. As’ad Himuni, 29 years old, from Bethlehem, that an Israeli army officer had attempt to rape him, and had beaten him severely, in the Ofer military prison on April 28, 2002. The initial complaint reached PCAT through MK ‘Issam Mahul, who sent a letter of complaint regarding this incident to the Minister of Defence.
Mr. Himuni was arrested on October 17, 2001, on suspicion of being involved in the assassination of the Minister of Tourism, Rechavam Ze’evi. In his testimony, taken by Attorney Allegra Pacheco of PCATI, it transpires that on April 28, 2002, Himoni was transferred from the Ketsiot detention camp to the detention camp at Ofer to appear before the military court in Beth El. Upon arrival at “Ofer,” an army officer with the rank of Second Lieutenant who had accompanied Mr. Himuni, attempted to rape him.
According to Mr. Himuni, he requested to go to the bathroom when the officer took him behind the clinic in the Ofer camp, tied his hands behind his back, took off his clothes while, in the meantime, rubbing his hand with Vaseline, he threatened to penetrate the petitioner’s behind. The officer also beat Mr. Himuni severely and fractured his arm. Later that day, another officer threatened to charge Mr. Himuni with assaulting an officer if he complained of the assault, adding that saying he would ensure that Mr. Himuni would serve an extended sentence in that case.
Himuni was released on June 26th.2002.
Mr. Himuni testified that as a result of the assault he suffered severe anxiety. He also said he intended to initiate complaints against the officer and the IDF for the suffering and the degradation he underwent, and sue them for damages.
The Unit for Internal Investigation in the Military Police has responded to PCATI’s complaint, stating that in light of the severity of the charges, they had decided to investigate the case. A similar promise was made in response to MK Mahul’s complaint.
The Executive Director of PCATI, Hannah Friedman, has demanded that the findings of the investigation of this case be made public, and that the officer be prosecuted if the charges against him are found to be correct. “The affidavit we received from the detainee is appalling and shocking and I expect to receive the findings of the investigation now conducted in the case shortly,” Friedman added.
For further details contact: Hannah Friedman 02-5630073 or Guy Tatsa 03-5290572, 058-356030