The Asian Age

Tamimi trial opens behind closed doors

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Ofer Military Court, Palestinia­n Territorie­s, Feb. 13: A Palestinia­n teenager charged after a viral video showed her hitting two Israeli soldiers in a case that has gained global attention went on trial in military court on Tuesday in closed- door proceeding­s.

The judge in the trial ordered journalist­s removed from the courtroom, ruling that open proceeding­s would not be in the interest of 17- yearold Ahed Tamimi, who is being tried as a minor.

Only family members were allowed to remain in the courtroom, with diplomats present to observe also asked to leave.

A large crowd of local and internatio­nal journalist­s had shown up to cover the trial of Tamimi, who has become something of an icon for Palestinia­ns and supporters of their cause worldwide.

Trials of minors in military court are typically closed, but Tamimi’s lawyer said previous hearings for the teenager were open and she argued for it to remain that way.

“They understand that people outside Ofer military court are interested in Ahed’s case, they understand

The judge in the trial ordered journalist­s removed from the courtroom, ruling that open proceeding­s would not be in the interest of 17- year- old Ahed Tamimi, who is being tried as a minor

that her rights are being infringed and her trial is something that shouldn’t be happening,” Ms Tamimi’s lawyer Gaby Lasky told journalist­s after having unsuccessf­ully objected to the judge’s decision to close the trial.

“So the way to keep it out of everybody’s eyes is to close doors and not allow people inside the court for her hearing.”

Ms Tamimi arrived at the military court near Jerusalem in the occupied West Bank dressed in a prison jacket with her hands and feet shackled, smiling slightly as journalist­s photograph­ed her.

Her father Bassem Tamimi waved to her from the audience, yelling out “stay strong, you will win.”

 ?? — AFP ?? Seventeen- year- old Palestinia­n Ahed Tamimi, a well- known campaigner against Israel’s occupation, arrives for the beginning of her trial in the Israeli military court at Ofer military prison in the West Bank village of Betunia on Tuesday.
— AFP Seventeen- year- old Palestinia­n Ahed Tamimi, a well- known campaigner against Israel’s occupation, arrives for the beginning of her trial in the Israeli military court at Ofer military prison in the West Bank village of Betunia on Tuesday.

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