Shin Bet dismisses ‘false’ torture accusations in prob of Jewish terror suspects

The Shin Bet responds to “false” accusations made by “interested parties” against its interrogation of Jewish teens suspected of murdering Palestinian woman Aisha Rabi, in October.

The agency asserts that the suspects were not “abducted,” as claimed by critics, but rather arrested by officers who were equipped with warrants, and who had notified the minors’ parents.

It acknowledges having barred the suspects from meeting with their attorneys, but points out that such a step is “taken from time to time against both Arab and Jewish suspects… in serious terror acts,” and that the Lod District Court has signed off on the measure despite appeals from their attorneys.

Regarding accusations of torture and violence against the detainees, the Shin Bet says it has been careful to place the suspects away from adult inmates and that the interrogations are being carried out “in accordance with the directives of the medical authorities.”

The security service says the suspects were being examined throughout the interrogation, and “did not raise any complaints to the Israel Prisons Service medical authorities” or with the judges presiding over their remand hearings.

The suspects were also provided with religious items, including prayer shawls in order to observe the Sabbath, the Shin Bet says.

— Jacob Magid