Investigators conclude probe into police killing of Ethiopian-Israeli man

The Police Internal Investigations Department, an external agency housed in the Justice Ministry that investigates police officers suspected of wrongdoing, tells the Biadga family that it has completed the investigation into Yehuda Biadga’s death at the hands of a police officer, on January 18.

The 24-year-old Ethiopian-Israeli man was shot and killed on January 18 by an officer who said he acted in self-defense, accusing Biadga of charging him with a knife. The officer was responding to a call from neighbors who claimed the young man was behaving violently. Police commanders backed the officer’s version of the events and have denied Biadga’s race was a factor in the decision to open fire.

The shooting triggered mass-protests by the Ethiopian Jewish community in late January against what they said was rampant over-policing and violence by officers in their interactions with members of the community. Biadga’s supporters have insisted he did not threaten the officer when he was shot.

The officer was placed on leave for the duration of the inquiry.

The PIID does not say today whether it is recommending an indictment against the officer.