PA officers convicted of abandoning posts during Gaza takeover - Haaretz

Subscribe to Print Edition

Sun., November 04, 2007 Cheshvan 23, 5768

Israel Time: 13:28 (EST+7)

web haaretz.com

Back to Homepage

Print Edition

Diplomacy

Defense

Arts & Leisure

Real Estate

Jewish World

National

Advertising

Magazine

Week's End

Business

Opinion

Rosner's Domain

Anglo File

Books

Travel

del.icio.us

Digg It! new

Last update - 11:50 04/11/2007

PA officers convicted of abandoning posts during Gaza takeover

By The Associated Press

tags: Fatah, Gaza, abandoning posts

A Palestinian military court on Sunday convicted six junior officers for abandoning their posts during Hamas' takeover of the Gaza Strip, sentencing them to up to three years in prison.

It was the first trial stemming from the week of fighting last June, in which the Islamic militant group Hamas routed forces loyal to President Mahmoud Abbas of Fatah.

The officers put on trial had argued that they were being turned into scapegoats. Many Fatah loyalists, including senior security officers and leading politicians, fled Gaza during the Hamas takeover and have not been punished.

	Advertisement

In its decision Sunday, the military tribunal convicted six of eight defendants for disobeying orders and leaving their posts. Two colonels each received three-year sentences, while three lower-ranking officers were each sentenced to 18 months. A sixth man received a five-month sentence. Two others were acquitted.

Defense lawyer Abdel Karim Hamad said he would appeal to the Palestinian Supreme Court, claiming the military had no jurisdiction in the case. He said there was no evidence of wrongdoing by his clients, and said, it is clear this court is looking for scapegoats.

The Supreme Court is expected to rule in December. Its decision will determine whether others go on trial

Bookmark to del.icio.us


	Remembering Rabin
	150,000 gather in Tel Aviv to mark the 12th anniversary of Rabin's assassination.


	Bring on the big guns
	A U.S. judge okays defense request to subpoena Rice, Hadley in AIPAC trial.




1.	Land of Make Belief?	13:18	\|	Curious	04/11/07

Today Online


	Court challenges criteria for Palestinian student entry to Israel
	Responses: 41


	Turkey seeks right to build monument in Jerusalem's Old City
	Responses: 70


	IAF strikes kill four Palestinians after Qassams hit Negev
	Responses: 51


	Gideon Levy: Rabin memorial offers pop stars, empty cliches
	Responses: 30


	Uzi Benziman: Israeli tribalism is weakening the state
	Responses: 11

Rosner's Domain

* AIPAC trial: Bring on the top government officials

* The genes that make Jews smart (What To Read)

* Blog & Poll: Dem. candidates make Iran top issue

* The Factor: Does McCain love Israel?

More Headlines
12:57 IDF strikes northern Gaza Strip, killing 4 Palestinians


13:05 FM: Palestinian state can be created only after Israel's security assured


11:58 Winograd to court: War report won't include personal findings


13:12 Olmert: Israelis must unite around memory of Rabin's assassination


02:43 Turkey seeks right to build monument in J'lem's Old City


08:38 High Court challenges criteria for Palestinian student entry


12:50 Prosecution closes sexual abuse file against actor Ze'ev Revach


11:50 PA officers convicted of abandoning posts during Gaza takeover


09:42 Newly deployed PA police force leaves Nablus to IDF at night


10:27 Pakistani gov't foes detained after Musharraf sets emergency rule