Last update - 00:00 14/12/2006
Rapist Benny Sela files complaint over alleged police violence
By Jonathan Lis, Haaretz Correspondent
The Public Defendant on Thursday filed a complaint with the Police Investigations Department at the Justice Ministry, on behalf of serial rapist Benny Sela, who says detectives treated him violently during his arrest last Friday in Nahariya.
In addition, Sela says that Nahariya police prevented him from contacting a lawyer, despite his request to do so.
Police captured Benny Sela, jailed for 35 years for rape and sexual assault in December 1999, two weeks after he managed to escape from police custody.
"The complainant did try to cover his face upon his arrest without, however, taking any action that would warrant the disproportionate use of force against him," the complaint said.
"As [Sela] was brought to the police station some of the officers serving there treated him violently while he his hands and legs were cuffed," the statement added.