Seven Remain in Custody After Diplomat, Reporter Assault Allegations; Lawyers to Appeal
Translated & summarized from JDN by baba
Seven individuals remain in custody following their arrest in connection with the alleged assault of a French diplomat and an American reporter. Lawyers for the suspects are appealing the extended detention, arguing the arrests are baseless and lack sufficient evidence. The court extended the detention of the seven by two days, while three others were released to house arrest. The defense claims the diplomat was not injured and did not file a complaint, and that there is no evidence linking the detainees to the reporter's alleged assault.
The story in 6 lines · by baba
- Seven suspects remain in extended detention over alleged assaults on a French diplomat and an American reporter.
- Lawyers for the detainees argue the arrests are baseless and lack sufficient evidence.
- A Jerusalem court extended the detention of the seven suspects by two days.
- Three other individuals arrested in connection with the incidents were released to house arrest.
- The defense claims the diplomat was not injured and did not file a complaint.
- The defense asserts there is no evidence linking the detainees to the alleged assault on the reporter.
Lawyers from the Honenu organization announced they would appeal the extended detention of seven suspects arrested early Tuesday morning as part of "Operation Olive Branch." The operation is investigating the alleged assault of a French diplomat and an American reporter. A Jerusalem Magistrate's Court ordered the suspects' detention extended by two additional days on Monday, while three other detainees were released to house arrest.
The defense attorneys, Daniel Shemeshvili and Asaf Gonen, argue that the police made sweeping arrests of individuals present in the area of the incidents without presenting evidence linking each suspect to the offenses. "After we were exposed to the police's claims in court, we state clearly: these are baseless arrests," they stated.
Regarding the incident involving the French diplomat on Saturday, the lawyers claimed that the presented material indicated he was not injured and did not file a complaint. Concerning the alleged assault of the American reporter on Friday, they asserted there was no evidence that any of the detainees participated in the attack. Honenu also stated that one of the detainees is a medic who arrived to assist the injured. According to the organization, the medic provided an alibi supported by real-time messages and updates, yet his detention was extended.
The defense attorneys also addressed documentation they claim is in the investigation file, showing the reporter near masked individuals armed with slingshots and stones. They demanded an examination of the circumstances of her presence and the identity of those she was with. The lawyers contend that the arrests were made under external pressure, not on sufficient evidentiary grounds. "Alongside serious accusations, there is a need for evidence and proof," they stated. These claims were made by the defense.
