The Southern District Attorney's Office filed an indictment on Sunday in the Be'er Sheva District Court against 12 Israel Prison Service (IPS) officers for their involvement in a violent incident that led to the death of a security prisoner. According to the indictment, filed by attorney Tal Cohen Adir, those involved include the shift commander, prison guards, Keter unit combatants, and a K-9 handler, who acted in coordination at the Givon Prison.
The indictment states that the incident occurred during what was supposedly a routine prisoner count led by the shift commander. Before entering the cell, the commander allegedly informed his subordinates that he was taking responsibility for whatever happened inside and ordered female guards present to stay back to avoid being harmed. Upon entering, the force acted with the explicit intent to assault the prisoners. The charges detail that the attack involved the use of fists, kicks, and batons against prisoner Thaer Abu Assab and eight other inmates. The shift commander, it is alleged, not only directed the incident but participated in assaulting one or more prisoners.
After several minutes, the commander ordered the assault to stop, and the unit exited the cell. According to the charges, none of the defendants reported the violence or the irregular event. Shortly thereafter, Abu Assab collapsed and lost consciousness. He was transferred to the prison clinic and subsequently taken to Soroka Hospital, where he was pronounced dead. The indictment asserts that the injuries to the prisoner's heart and respiratory system, caused by the severe blows, led to his death. The eight other prisoners sustained significant physical injuries.
The conduct attributed to the defendants raises significant questions regarding law enforcement procedures within prisons. As these proceedings are in their initial stages, these remain allegations yet to be proven in court. The investigation focuses on the liability of commanders and guards not only for the use of force but for the failure to report an event with fatal consequences. As of this writing, no responses from the defendants or their legal counsel regarding these charges have been released.