Court Slams Prison Guards Over Detainee's Treatment, Orders Review

The Tel Aviv District Court on Friday accepted a petition by Agam Zerfi, who is accused of involvement in the murder of Binyamin Razi, regarding her detention conditions. The court sharply criticized the actions of prison guards seen in a video where Zerfi, in handcuffs, is held bent over by two guards. The court ordered the Israel Prison Service (IPS) to review the incident and also to examine Zerfi's request to speak with her parents, overturning a blanket ban on phone calls.

Furthermore, the court prohibited Zerfi's solitary confinement and reduced the period of double occupancy separation from 30 days to an additional six days. Zerfi's defense team stated that IPS guards should respect themselves, the law, and Zerfi's presumption of innocence, criticizing the low professional standards shown in the video and its leak. They also indicated that the support given by the relevant minister to the leak indicated a deep rift and demanded the Prison Commissioner intervene.

In contrast, the victim's family expressed shock at the criticism directed at the IPS and offered full support to the organization. Representing the Razi family, Dr. Shiri Oron stated that the family is horrified by distorted headlines attempting to generate sympathy for someone accused of a horrific murder. She emphasized that Binyamin Razi, who was under 19, is the sole victim, questioning the public's reaction to the defendants smiling during the murder and trial.