High Court Orders Release of Suspected Terrorist's Body

Jerusalem, 23 January, 2017 (TPS) -- The High Court of Justice ordered the Defense Ministry to release the body of Ya’akub Musa Abu al-Qi’an, who was killed in a clash with police during last week’s demolition of the Umm al-Hiran unauthorized village in the Negev.

Police say Abu al-Qi’an was shot in the midst of a vehicular terror attack that left one police officer, Staff Sgt. Erez Levy, dead and several injured, including Joint List MK Ayman Odeh. But sources in the Arab community say that forensic evidence does not support that claim and argue instead that police shot to kill without a clear threat to their lives.

The court did not put any restrictions on the burial proceedings, which are expected to take place at the Muslim cemetery adjacent to Shoket Junction, in the Negev. Funeral arrangements have not been announced yet.

MK Odeh, chairman of the Joint List Knesset faction, praised the decision to release the body, saying “I am happy the court has refused to allow itself to be dragged into the police’s incitement and lies and gave the Elkayan family the most basic right: To mourn with dignity.

“The police continue to incite, instead of taking responsibility for the terrible failures that led to the unnecessary death of two poeple that awful morning. We will continue to demand real answers about the people who decided to evacuate the village and why was done so violently. We demand a government commission of inquiry to investigate the events immediately,” Odeh said.

The police stated that in the spirit of upholding security and public safety, it will respect the decision of the Court and endeavor to prepare for the funeral under the conditions legally set.