Lawyer Claims Shin Bet Fabricated Charges Against Kafr Qasim Youth
Lawyer Khaled Zabarka, representing a young man from Kafr Qasim detained by the Shin Bet (Israel Security Agency), asserts that published information about the case is largely fabricated and lacks evidence. Zabarka stated that his client had no intention of harming state security and described media reports as "lies with no basis in truth." While acknowledging the seriousness of the charges, he questioned the alleged intent behind them.
The investigation began approximately one month ago, on the 16th of the previous month. No indictment has been filed yet, but it is expected on Thursday. Once the indictment is submitted, the defense will be able to review the investigation materials gathered by the police and intelligence services to understand the legal basis for the charges.
Reports suggest the charges include planning and attempting to produce explosive devices and weapons for an operation. However, Zabarka refrained from detailing the case before the indictment, predicting that the evidence, once revealed, would make the accusations appear "ridiculous" and unfounded.
Zabarka confirmed he has not been allowed to see the evidence, as it is typically unavailable to the defense until after the indictment is filed. He has met his 19-year-old client multiple times and believes the charges are politically motivated fabrications. He also noted that lawyers handling similar cases frequently encounter fabricated charges against Arab youths, aimed at criminalizing actions he considers legal.
Zabarka views these state actions against Arab youths as policies intended to intimidate and threaten them, driven by political goals rather than a genuine pursuit of law or state security. The detained youth was employed by the Fire and Rescue Services, a detail Zabarka acknowledged might raise questions about its impact on others considering similar careers, but he could not yet assess this.
He concluded by emphasizing his preference to wait for the indictment and review the investigation materials before discussing the case's specifics and the alleged actions in detail.
