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4 Jewish suspects in Duma attack return to court for remand hearing

Draft indictment expected later this week, with Shin Bet set to offer evidence linking detainees to 10 other cases

By TOI staff 28 December 2015, 9:54 am 5 Edit
A right-wing Jewish activist protests outside a court hearing in Petah Tikva, December 28, 2015, on the matter of the Jewish youths arrested for involvement in an arson attack in the West Bank village of Duma, earlier this summer, in which three members of the Dawabshe family were killed. (Photo by Flash90)
A right-wing Jewish activist protests outside a court hearing in Petah Tikva, December 28, 2015, on the matter of the Jewish youths arrested for involvement in an arson attack in the West Bank village of Duma, earlier this summer, in which three members of the Dawabshe family were killed. (Photo by Flash90)

Four suspected Jewish terrorists held over a deadly July terror attack in a Palestinian town appeared at Petah Tikva Magistrate’s Court on Monday, for a hearing on extending their remand.

Prosecutors are expected to prepare an indictment later this week ahead of filing formal charges. Officials from the Shin Bet are this week expected to provide evidence that the suspects were involved in 10 other incidents of Jewish terror, a Channel 2 TV report said.

The far-right activists are suspected of carrying out the firebombing in the West Bank town of Duma that killed three members of the Dawabsha family, including an 18-month-old baby.

On Sunday, Deputy Attorney General Raz Nizri visited the Shin Bet facility where the prisoners were being held, in order to determine if they had been subject to abuse. The visit came after allegations from the suspects’ attorneys that they were tortured.

Palestinians inspect the damage as they stand in a house in the West Bank village of Duma set on fire in an apparent attack by Jewish terrorists, which killed 18-month-old Palestinian toddler Ali Saad Dawabsha on July 31, 2015. (AFP PHOTO/THOMAS COEX)
Palestinians inspect the damage as they stand in a house in the West Bank village of Duma set on fire in an apparent attack by Jewish terrorists, which killed 18-month-old Palestinian toddler Ali Saad Dawabsha on July 31, 2015. (AFP PHOTO/THOMAS COEX)

The Shin Bet and the government have denied the claims, although the Shin Bet has acknowledged “manhandling” the suspects, having classified them as “ticking bombs” who may have information on future planned attacks.

An attorney for the suspects told Channel 2 that Nizri did not speak to the detainees at length and the visit was insufficient to gauge the extent of the abuse.

Lawyers have alleged that the Shin Bet is using extraordinary measures against the suspects — whose names remain under gag order — to extract information about the deadly firebombing.

The allegations have sparked a number of protests in Jerusalem over the past weeks, which continued Sunday as some 150 people gathered in Jerusalem to protest the alleged torture.

Right-wing activists protest in downtown Jerusalem against the alleged torture of Jewish teens held by the Shin Bet security service suspected of carrying out a deadly firebombing attack, which killed three members of the Dawabsha family in the West Bank town of Duma in July, on” December 27, 2015. (Flash90)
Right-wing activists protest in downtown Jerusalem against the alleged torture of Jewish teens held by the Shin Bet security service suspected of carrying out a deadly firebombing attack, which killed three members of the Dawabsha family in the West Bank town of Duma in July, on” December 27, 2015. (Flash90)

Riham and Saad Dawabsha and their 18-month-old baby Ali died in the July 31 attack on their home in Duma in the West Bank — Ali in the blaze started by the firebomb and his parents in the following days. The sole surviving member of the family, five-year-old Ahmed, is being treated for severe burns in an Israeli hospital.

On Saturday evening, Defense Minister Moshe Ya’alon said indictments against the Jewish extremists suspected of carrying out the July firebomb attack are expected soon.

One of the suspects arrested in connection with the Dawabsha murders, December 3, 2015. Due to a government gag order, the identities of the suspects are classified. (Screen capture)
One of the suspects arrested in connection with the Dawabsha murders, December 3, 2015. Due to a government gag order, the identities of the suspects are classified. (Screen capture)
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