Investigators are probing whether one of the border policemen involved in the shooting of an East Jerusalem man with autism continued to fire even after his commander ordered him to stop, Hebrew media reports say.
Iyad Halak, 32, was shot dead earlier today in Jerusalem’s Old City, with police saying he appeared to be holding a gun. Halak was unarmed and had apparently not understood the officers’ orders to stop as he passed near the Lion’s Gate.
According to the Kan public broadcaster, the officer’s commander said during questioning that he ordered him to stop firing, while the policeman denies he was told to hold fire.
The commander is released under conditions, while the officer is sent to house arrest.
Lawyers for the policemen are quoted saying by the Walla news site that their clients received “clear instruction” from commanders that Halak was a terrorist, prompting them to chase after him.
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Saturday, May 30, 2020
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