Last update - 00:00 13/02/2007
Three Tel Aviv policemen found guilty of beating civilan
By Nir Hasson, Haaretz Correspondent
Tel Aviv Magistrate's Court Judge Daniel Be'eri on Tuesday convicted three police officers charged with assaulting a civilian.
In July 2005, police officers Hanan Bitan, Assaf Levi, and Shalom Kendel were on night patrol near Tel Aviv's Arlozorov Street where they stopped Ben Bala Mahajna for questioning. After conducting a search they started to batter him, demanding he tell them where he purchased drugs.
They then drove him to a concealed area where they beat him using a nightstick and flashlight. At one point one of the police officers drew his gun, removed the bullets, pressed it against Mahajna's head and pulled the trigger.
Mahajna was found bleeding by passersby near the Halacha Bridge after he was abandoned by the three police officers.
The Police Investigation's Department opened an investigation and indicted the three police officers, which denied the allegations.
In his ruling Judge Be'eri decided their version was not credible and that "for obvious reasons they decided not to remember the event." They were convicted with agravated battery and improper use of authority