Israeli Border Police Officer Charged with Assault and Evidence Tampering at West Bank Checkpoint

An Israeli Border Police officer, Ayel Haimov, was indicted on Monday at the Jerusalem Magistrate's Court for assault causing serious injury, threats, and illegal computer intrusion. Haimov, a squad commander at the Border Police, was stationed at the kiosk checkpoint between Jerusalem and Bethlehem. According to the indictment filed by attorney Dror Friedman, a Palestinian driver carrying seven passengers was stopped for inspection. Officers collected IDs and confiscated mobile phones, reviewing their contents. When Haimov discovered an image of a weapon on the complainant's phone, he removed the man from the vehicle and took him behind the detention cell at the checkpoint. Haimov threatened a fellow officer present not to disclose what he witnessed. He then pressed the complainant against a wall and repeatedly struck his abdomen and chest. Using an improvised baton, Haimov caused a fracture to the complainant's left hand and bleeding. Afterwards, he poured water over the man’s body to wash away bloodstains. Finally, Haimov forced the complainant back into the vehicle and threatened another officer to remain silent about the incident. The investigation was conducted by the Jerusalem unit of the Police Internal Investigations Department (Mahash).