Pallbearer beaten at Abu Akleh funeral arrested

A pallbearer beaten by police during the funeral of journalist Shireen Abu Akleh last week has been arrested by Israel, his lawyer says.

Khaldoon Nijm says his client Amro Abu Khdair was arrested on Monday, though he has not been told what he is being charged with.

The arrest was first reported Wednesday by Reuters. Nijm confirmed the arrest to The Times of Israel.

Israeli police confront mourners as they carry the casket of slain Al Jazeera journalist Shireen Abu Akleh, almost toppling it, during her funeral in Jerusalem, May 13, 2022. (AP Photo/Maya Levin)

Police tell Reuters that Abu Khdair was arrested, but say it is unrelated to the Friday funeral, during which baton-wielding cops scuffled with mourners, at one point nearly causing the casket to fall.

Police initially said that the pallbearers had stolen the casket against the family’s wishes and the cops were stopping them, a claim disputed by those present. Authorities later agreed to open a probe into the incident.

Aaron Boxerman contributed to this post.