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Israel troops face shooting trial | |
(about 1 hour later) | |
An Israeli commander and sergeant face trial for "unworthy conduct" over the shooting of a bound Palestinian prisoner, Israeli officials say. | |
Col Omri Borberg was filmed holding the prisoner as a soldier under his command fired a rubber bullet at his feet. | Col Omri Borberg was filmed holding the prisoner as a soldier under his command fired a rubber bullet at his feet. |
Israel's military advocate general says the incident in the West Bank in July represents a "severe moral failure". | |
Israeli human rights group B'Tselem had said the military would be shamed if it failed to punish anyone. | |
According to an army statement released on Wednesday, Col Borberg had resigned his post as battalion commander but remained free to serve elsewhere in the military. | |
On Thursday, the Israeli media reported that the soldiers would be accused of "inappropriate conduct" over the incident rather than face criminal prosecution. | |
B'Tselem criticised the military, saying: "An army that treats the shooting of a bound detainee, from zero range as 'inappropriate conduct' is disgracing the values it claims to hold." | |
The group had helped publicise the incident, which was filmed by a Palestinian civilian in the West Bank village of Nilin. | |
Nilin has been the scene of frequently violent protests against Israel's plans to pass its West Bank barrier through the village, cutting Palestinian residents off from the land they own. | Nilin has been the scene of frequently violent protests against Israel's plans to pass its West Bank barrier through the village, cutting Palestinian residents off from the land they own. |
Grave and wrong | |
The prisoner in the film was identified as Ashraf Abu Rahma, a demonstrator accused of throwing stones at Israeli forces. | The prisoner in the film was identified as Ashraf Abu Rahma, a demonstrator accused of throwing stones at Israeli forces. |
He appears in the video bound and blindfolded with a group of Israeli soldiers. One of the soldiers is seen taking aim at his feet with a rifle. Mr Abu Rahma is next seen on the ground, writhing in pain. | He appears in the video bound and blindfolded with a group of Israeli soldiers. One of the soldiers is seen taking aim at his feet with a rifle. Mr Abu Rahma is next seen on the ground, writhing in pain. |
He was treated on the scene for injuries to his foot. | He was treated on the scene for injuries to his foot. |
Israeli media earlier reported that Col Borberg failed a lie-detector test about his claim not to have ordered the soldier to shoot. | Israeli media earlier reported that Col Borberg failed a lie-detector test about his claim not to have ordered the soldier to shoot. |
According to an Israeli army investigation, Col Borberg said he told the soldier only to motion with his rifle to frighten Mr Abu Rahma. | According to an Israeli army investigation, Col Borberg said he told the soldier only to motion with his rifle to frighten Mr Abu Rahma. |
Israeli Defence Minister Ehud Barak had described the incident as "grave and wrong", while the army said it contradicted its values. | Israeli Defence Minister Ehud Barak had described the incident as "grave and wrong", while the army said it contradicted its values. |
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