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Press Release

Referring to a previous decision by the Israeli High Court,

PCHR submitted a complaint concerning the torture of a Palestinian detainee

Ref: 10/2001

Date: March 15, 2001

 The Palestinian Center for Human Rights has submitted a complaint to the Israeli general prosecution concerning the torture of the Palestinian detainee Nasser ‘Ayyad during his interrogation by members of Israeli security and intelligence services.  At PCHR’s request, the representation from the Rosenthal Legal Offices in Jerusalem to visit the detainee in order to examine his condition.  The lawyer, Nae’l Zahalqa, who was able to visit him after being prevented from doing so for more than one-month. .  In a statement under oath before his lawyer, ‘Ayyad asserted that he was beaten by Israeli interrogators in Netzarim settlement where he had been was transferred immediately following arrest.  He added that he had been physically tortured in Asqalan (Ashkelon) prison, where he was later detained.  This torture included: sleep deprivation, excessive binding of hands and feet so as to cause inflammation, prolonged exposure to bright light causing burns to his face, severe pressure on the neck, and use of mechanisms to cause swelling of the eye.

 Furthermore, Israeli interrogators told ‘Ayyad that they had been permitted to torture him.  After his arrest, interrogators threatened ‘Ayyad that his father would be assassinated.  Two weeks thereafter, Israeli interrogators informed ‘Ayyad that his father Mas’oud ‘Ayyad, 50, was assassinated by an Israeli combat helicopter that hit his car with three rockets on February 13, 2001.  Israeli interrogators continued to threaten him with assassinating more members of his family.

 On Januart 29, 2001, Nasser ‘Ayyad was kidnapped by the Israeli occupation forces, which intercepted a car as he was travelling on the coastal road between Gaza City and Deir El-Balah.  He was then transferred to Netzarim settlement and from there to the Israeli Asqalan (Ashkelon) prison.         

 It is important to note that the Israeli High Court has prohibited the use of torture while interrogating Palestinian detainees.  This prohibition includes including shaking, sleep deprivation, the use of extremely loud music, extreme light on the face, and the frog stance.  During its session on September 6, 2001, the Israeli High Court declared these methods illegal.

 In light of this prohibition, through the Rosenthal Legal Offices, PCHR submitted a complaint to the Israeli general prosecution.  In the complaint, PCHR asserted that Israeli interrogators violated the decision of the Israeli High Court.

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