Photo Credit: Nadine Nashef

On Monday May 28th the police decided to put the officer who assaulted Mossawa’s director Jafar Farah on forced leave for the duration of the investigation into his actions. The Internal Police Investigation Unit had already interrogated the police officer over the last few days. He was taken off duty during this time and now the police have decided to extend his leave until the investigation is completed. Jafar Farah responded to this news saying he, “looks forward to an apology from the police.”

He went on to state that, “Three policemen attacked detainees in front of other commanders and police officers. Two of them threatened the medical staff at Bnei Zion Hospital. I expect the police command and the political leadership to bear responsibility for the lies and culture of violence practiced by the police.

The Police commissioner himself tried to whitewash the events in Haifa, and I expect him and the district commander, the commander of the Haifa station and the commander of the YASAM (crowd control unit) to apologize to all the detainees who were arrested, beaten and humiliated without a legal basis.

The police department has stated that upon receipt of the findings of the investigation unit, administrative or disciplinary measures will be considered. The Mossawa Center calls for a swift and thorough investigation of each the officers involved in the arrest and brutality against all 21 detainees.

For further information on the arrest and subsequent assault of Jafar Farah see our previous press release linked here.