Court throws out soldier’s plea to avoid Shin Bet questioning

The Haifa District Court rejected an appeal on Wednesday by an IDF soldier to be freed from Shin Bet (Israel Security Agency) interrogation for allegedly beating an Israeli-Arab minor in Hadera in April.

Despite that, the soldier did get to meet with his lawyer on Wednesday, after 72 hours.

Prior to losing the appeal, a lower court endorsed his Shin Bet interrogation without seeing a lawyer.

It is highly unusual for the Shin Bet to question an IDF soldier, and even more unusual for such a soldier to be denied legal counsel. Among the civilian population, temporarily denying legal representation is only allowed in the most serious national security cases.

The IDF said that the soldier‘s alleged crimes occurred when he was off duty, which makes the issue a Shin Bet-police one, in which it cannot intervene.

The Jerusalem Post understands that the Shin Bet was brought in because the alleged attack was not a “standard” assault, but an extended chase and pursuit by the soldier, and others, after two Arab-Israelis who both subsequently required hospitalization.

Video footage has emerged of three unidentified persons beating one of the youths near a building in Hadera.

Right-wing legal aid group Honenu slammed the Shin Bet and the legal establishment for what it called the unusual and extreme treatment of the soldier, expressing confidence that he will either be acquitted or at least offered an apology for being treated too severely for a minor scuffle.

Another court hearing to seek his release is set for Sunday.