Bil’in villager still in prison despite judge’s condemnation of IOF violence

by the ISM media team, February 12th

Farhat Burnat, the Bil’in peace activist beaten and arrested at a demo 10 days ago remains in Ofer military detention centre tonight. After viewing video evidence last week the military judge ordered Farhat’s release but the IOF was given until Sunday to appeal this. This was then extended until today at 9am. Just after 9am an appeal was filed by the IOF but this wasn’t heard today and no future date was set.

Despite recognising the “ugly face” of the IOF the judge still wanted to release Farhat under conditions and NIS 5000 bail. The most Palestinians can hope for when there is no evidence against them, is to be released within a few weeks with a large bail amount and restrictions on their movement.

Last October Bil’in cameraman Emad Burnat spent almost 3 weeks in prison on the trumped up charges of throwing stones at the IOF until being released to house arrest in a neighbouring village. He has only just been allowed to return home to his family in Bil’in.