Orthodox Priest Vows to Fight Police Investigation Closure After Alleged Assault
Translated & summarized from Al-Shams by baba
Jaffa's Orthodox Archpriest Constantine Zuraik Nassar is challenging the closure of his complaint against police officers who allegedly assaulted him on September 29. Despite the Police Internal Investigations Department closing the case, Nassar plans to appeal to the courts to reopen the investigation, citing a lack of explanation for the decision. He described a "brutal" arrest and verbal abuse, and feels the investigation attempted to shift blame. Nassar is pursuing legal action and international media attention with the help of a human rights organization.
The story in 6 lines · by baba
- Orthodox Archpriest Constantine Zuraik Nassar will appeal the closure of his assault complaint against police.
- Nassar alleges a "brutal and provocative" arrest and verbal abuse by officers on September 29.
- The Police Internal Investigations Department (Mahash) closed the complaint without explanation.
- Nassar claims the investigation attempted to shift blame onto him.
- A human rights organization is reportedly assisting Nassar with his case.
- Nassar rejected a meeting with the police chief without a public apology.
The Archpriest of the Orthodox community in Jaffa, Constantine Zuraik Nassar, announced he will not drop his pursuit of justice following an alleged assault by police officers on September 29. Despite the Police Internal Investigations Department (Mahash) closing the complaint he filed, Nassar intends to appeal to the courts to reopen the investigation. He described the incident as a physical and verbal assault, detailing a "brutal and provocative" arrest and subsequent verbal abuse while being transported in a police vehicle. Nassar stated he provided Mahash with photos, evidence, and documents to support his claims, as well as images of the officers involved.
Nassar revealed that initial attempts by police to arrange a meeting with the Tel Aviv Police Commissioner were rejected because he demanded a public apology first. As a prominent religious figure in Jaffa, he sought a formal apology but received no satisfactory response, and the meeting never occurred. He felt the investigation attempted to shift blame onto him rather than address the alleged assault.
He discovered the closure of his complaint via a text message with a tracking number, only to find his case closed online without explanation. The surprising speed of the closure, possibly the same or the next day after filing, raised questions for Nassar about the thoroughness of the investigation and evidence review. While acknowledging a perceived low success rate for Mahash complaints reaching court, he stressed his case would not end with this decision.
Nassar confirmed his determination to continue the legal battle, despite alleged pressure on those around him. He plans to formally request the reopening of the case, pursue legal action, file additional complaints, and raise the issue in both local and international media. A human rights organization is reportedly assisting in monitoring the case regionally. He noted the Tel Aviv municipality's role was minimal, with the mayor's contact five days after the incident being a "courtesy call." Nassar expressed gratitude for the solidarity shown by Jaffa residents, including Muslims, Christians, and Jewish friends, who visited the church to express their support.
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