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Last update - 06:35 29/02/2008 J'lem court indicts policeman for grievous assault at Amona By Nadav Shragai, Haaretz Correspondent Tags: assault, policeman, Amona  A riot police officer, Moti Mehager, was indicted Thursday at the Jerusalem Magistrate's Court for allegedly causing grievous harm during the evacuation of the Amona outpost in the West Bank in January 2006. The charges, which include three counts of grievous assault, followed an internal-affairs investigation of police action against protesters during the Amona evacuation. The charges were brought against the officer in part because of a video provided by the demonstrators that allegedly shows Mehager beating the protesters as they sat on the floor of a house. Advertisement Six months ago, Ishai Greenbaum, one of the demonstrators allegedly injured by Mehager, filed a suit against the officer with the assistance of a human rights organization operating in the West Bank. The State Attorney's Office acknowledged the plaintiffs' claims and announced that it did not intend to offer immunity to the officer. Mehager, for his part, filed against his employer, the police force, arguing that "he was a victim of the prosecution and political interests on the one hand, and of the police on the other." Mehager is accusing the police of giving orders that resulted in police violence at Amona. He says this was driven by political motives. "The preparations for the evacuation lasted a week and briefings were bleak, but at the same time the instructions were clear that in any eventuality it would be necessary to use batons," he said. The officer maintains that the police ordered the use of batons and that "its political considerations overcame its obligations [to him] and the rest of the officers" for insufficiently preparing them. He also says the police command evaded responsibility after issuing orders. "If these were illegal orders, it seems that the one responsible for them is first and foremost those giving the orders," Mehager said. Related articles: Watchdog: Release 7 girls arrested at outpost Children rights group: Release minors arrested at outpost Bookmark to del.icio.us   Power to the people Egypt plans to provide all of Gaza's electricity, to wean dependency on Israel. Calculated escalation Hamas has been trying for some time to create a balance of deterrence with Israel.   1.   The Officer is Right 06:58  |  Mike 29/02/08   2.   The Club Man 07:08  |  tooclose2detroit 29/02/08   3.   Pogrom at Amona 07:33  |  Gary Hess 29/02/08   4.   "I was only following orders" doesn`t wash 09:04  |  Dani 29/02/08   5.   Justice, Justic Shalt Thou Pursue! 10:16  |  Ben Israel 29/02/08   6.   Lacking Code of Ethics 11:45  |  Chaim 29/02/08   7.   The multiple standards of Israeli society 12:02  |  Ulf 02/03/08

Today Online Six more Gazans killed in IDF operation; Katyusha hits Netivot Responses: 44 EU joins UN in slamming use of 'disproportionate' force in Gaza Responses: 51 Zvi Bar'el: Get ready for the third intifada Responses: 6 Harel and Issacharoff: Hamas will now try to avenge Gaza deaths Responses: 14 Independent expert: IDF bullets didn't kill Mohammed al-Dura Responses: 20 Rosner's Domain No "statement of interest" against terror victims (WTR) McCain, Obama gear up for face off over Iraq Poll: Your solution for the situation in Gaza Battle of Ohio: from James Garfield to Hillary Clinton Prosecutor in AIPAC case to leave before trial? (WTR) More Headlines 12:07 Olmert: We won't halt Gaza operations even for a second 12:05 Violence continues as six Gazans die, Katyusha hits Netivot 11:52 EU joins UN in slamming use of 'disproportionate' force in Gaza 09:51 ANALYSIS: Hamas' next move will be to avenge Gaza deaths 10:10 The perspective from Ashkelon: Don't test our patience 10:35 Independent expert: IDF bullets didn't kill Mohammed al-Dura 10:27 Ahmadinejad in Iraq on trip that shows Iran's influence over Baghdad 08:58 Race for the White House: In Ohio, Hillary Clinton comes out fighting 06:47 Hummus test: Peki'in's Jewish tourists switch from Druze to Muslim 05:07 Expats' kids returning to Israel to enlist in IDF at rising rate Previous Editions Select Day 29 feb 28 feb 27 feb 26 feb 25 feb 24 feb 22 feb 21 feb 20 feb 19 feb 18 feb 17 feb

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