My father’s court sentence – finally translated

On 12 July 2010 my father has been sentences to 20 months and 15 days in jail by an Israeli military court. His jail term can be reduced by 9 months if we manage to pay a fine of 9000,- Shekel.

We all know that my father has been convicted of these charges only to stop our struggle and our protests against the illegal building of the Israeli Apartheid wall on our olive groves, that have been declared a closed military zone for this purpose.

One more thing that exposes Israel’s undemocratic and illegal occupation regime is the fact that we didn’t even receive a translation of the verdict. Israel doesn’t bother to let us know what the charges against us are or what their verdict is. All we got is a piece of paper in a language that we don’t understand. After 2 months I’ve received a translation – provided by an Israeli peace-activist-friend. I would like to share it with you (translation below):

The original verdict of my father Ibrahim Amireh by the military court, 12 July 2010

Translation of the Court Sentence:

Judea Military Court

Proceedings before Hon.: Maj. Zvi Heilbron, judge

The State of Israel

Military prosecution

Through Captain Hagai Rotstein, Prosecutor

Vs.

The defendant: Ibrahim Mustafa Rashid Amireh – present

Through Neri Ramati, Adv.- Present

Verdict

The defendant was convicted on the basis of his admission that beginning in May 2008 and up until the date of his arrest, he enacted as a member of “the Wall Committee”, together with others. And that under his role as a member, and on many occasions, members of said committee organized meetings and processions with the intention of disrupting the order and throwing stones at security forces. Moreover it is alleged that in the course of the aforementioned events, the defendant himself threw stones at security forces.

According to the second count, during the aforementioned period and on dozens of occasions, the defendant allegedly participated in mass rallies and incited others to do the same. According to the third count of the indictment, between Dec. 2007 and Dec. 2009, on a number of occasions and during mass public disorders, the defendant allegedly threw stones, together with other people, at security forces.

The parties have presented the court with a plea bargain asking that a prison sentence of 11 and half months be imposed on the defendant, as well as a suspended sentence, and a monetary fine to the amount of 9.000 NIS or a prison term of nine months.

The arguments presented by the parties in support of the plea are the defendant’s clean record, his admission of guilt and the saving in judicial time. In addition the defense attorney informed the court of the defendant’s personal circumstances, as specified in his statement.

Having considered the punishment proffered by the parties, and having weighed the severeness of the defendant’s offences and the burden which they posed to security forces, against the defendant’s personal circumstances as presented by his attorney and his clean record; and having duly reflected upon these, I have found that the plea bargain agreed upon by the parties constitutes a satisfactory balance between the defendant’s interest and the public interest. I therefore accept the plea.

I hereby sentence the defendant to the following:

A.      11 months and 15 days prison sentence, to be counted from the day of the defendant’s arrest.

B.      A two month suspended prison sentence, with the condition that for two years from the date of his release the defendant shall not commit an offence of incitement or organizing and partaking in a procession without a license.

C.      A six month suspended prison sentence, with the condition that for 3 years from the date of his release the defendant shall not commit an offence of throwing objects against body,  property or a vehicle in locomotion.

D.      A monetary fine to the amount of 9000 NIS or a 9 month prison term. The fine shall be paid until the defendant’s release date.

30 day right of appeal granted.