Comparative graph
Statistics
Developments
Fact sheet
Newsletter
About us
Contact
Donate
 
Bookmark and Share
  change font size تصغير الخط تكبير الخط print
Home » Children »

Testimony: G.M.A.T.

 

Name: G.M.A.T.
Age: 16
Date: 15 April 2019
Location: Deir Nidham, West Bank
Accusation: Throwing stones
 
On 15 April 2019, a 16-year-old minor from Deir Nidham was arrested by Israeli soldiers from home at 3:00 a.m. and accused of throwing stones. He reports being informed of his right to silence but not consulting with a lawyer prior to interrogation. He reports being released without charge 2 weeks after his arrest. 
 
At around 3:00 a.m. I heard loud banging at our front door and a voice telling us to open up. My father opened the door and five Israeli soldiers entered our home. One of them asked for my name and then told me I was under arrest. They did not give my parents any documents and did not tell us the reason for my arrest.
 
I was then blindfolded and handcuffed with my hands to the front with metal handcuffs. The handcuffs were not painful. At the door a soldier told my father they were going to have a few words with me and would bring me back soon. 
 
Once outside I was taken to the back of a military jeep and made me sit on the metal floor. On the way I was transferred to another jeep and this time I sat on a seat. The second jeep drove me to the police station in Etzion settlement. 
 
On arrival at Etzion I was taken to a cell and a soldier wanted to strip search me but I refused.  Later that day I was taken for interrogation.
 
The interrogator told me I had the right to remain silent but did not inform me of my right to consult with a lawyer. Then he accused me of throwing stones at a security camera at the nearby settlement. When I denied it he accused me of lying. Then he showed me video footage and claimed I was seen throwing stones. I denied it was me. Then he told me he would send me home if I confessed and if I did not he would send me to Ofer prison. He banged the table and raised his voice when he repeated the accusation.  
 
Then he took me to see another interrogator who allowed me to speak to a lawyer on the phone. The lawyer advised me to remain silent during the interrogation. The phone call lasted a short time, maybe a minute. The second interrogator left the room during the conversation. 
 
When the second interrogator returned he asked me to repeat what I had told the first interrogator while he was typing on his computer. Then he showed me documents in Hebrew and asked me to sign them but I refused to sign. 
 
After the second interrogation I was taken to Ofer prison, near Jerusalem, where I was strip searched. 
 
The following day I was taken to Ofer military court. The military judge denied me bail. I had two hearings and at the last one the court decided to release me without charge. My parents did not have to pay any fines. I was released on 29 April 2019, and I went home with my brother who was released on the same day. We arrived home at around 3:00 a.m.