Territories erupts after Palestinian detainee’s death in Megiddo Prison Saturday

State autopsy performed in presence of Palestinian pathologist & several family members as other inmates continue their hunger strike

Elior Levy

Security forces and Palestinian youth clashed on Sunday in Hebron and in the Beit Einun village close to Saeer, where Arafat Jaradat resided until he died in Megiddo Prison on Saturday.

In Hebron, Sunday – Photo: AFP

Palestinian sources claimed that Jaradat’s autopsy reveals that he underwent torture, which caused his death.

Jaradat’s body was dissected in the Abu Kabir Forensic Institute in the presence of a Palestinian pathologist, several family members and a legal team from the Palestinian Authority’s Prisoner Affairs office.

According to the institute, the autopsy revealed no external physical injuries other than those suffered during resuscitation attempts and a small bruise on the right side of the chest.

The autopsy also did not find evidence of illness. “Two muscle bleedings were noted, one in the shoulder and one on the right side of the chest and on both elbows.

“Two broken ribs on the right side were seen, which could be the result of the resuscitation attempts. These preliminary findings can’t determine the cause of death,” the forensic institute said.

“At this stage, before the microscopic and toxicological tests have been finished, the cause of death can’t be related to the autopsy’s findings.”

The body was taken to a Hebron hospital after the autopsy, to be buried in Jaradat’s village on Monday.

Palestinian demonstrator – Photo: AFP

Palestinian Prisoner Society Chairman Qadura Fares said that the autopsy shows that Jaradat died of torture inflicted during his interrogation, and not due to a cardiac arrest as was claimed by the Shin Bet.

Thirty-year-old Jaradat’s family reiterated that he was in perfect health and suffered no illness before his detainment.

They blamed Israel for his death, saying he was tortured in his interrogation. Jaradat’s lawyer Kamil Sabag who last saw him on Thusday in his remand hearing told Ynet he saw his client holding his chest and stomach.

He added that Jaradat seemed to be in poor mental condition and he therefore asked the court to allow a doctor’s visit. He said the court obliged the request and ordered the prison’s doctor to examine Jaradat’s mental and physical condition.

The Palestinian Prisoner Affairs Ministry revealed the preliminary findings of the Palestinian pathologist present at the autopsy, according to which the bruises on Jaradat’s body were caused by torture. It said no evidence of a cardiac arrest was found, contrary to Israel’s statement.

The Palestinian Minister for Prisoner Affairs Issa Karaka accused Israel of torturing Jaradat, causing his death. “Israel’s version regarding Jaradat’s death is fake and false,” he said.

Karaka demanded an independent probe be launched into Jaradat’s death, stressing that those responsible should be brought to justice.

Day of rage

Earlier on Sunday Palestinian administrative detainees protested his death and refused to eat breakfast and lunch, but it is yet unclear whether the hunger strike will continue on Monday.

Protests near Jaradat’s villag – Photo: AFP

Meanwhile, clashes between Palestinians and security forces broke out in crossings north of Jenin and west of Ramallah, during which the Palestinian Preventative Security Force chief’s 15-year-old son was injured by gunfire.

Sources from the government hospital in Ramallah stated that he was injured in his stomach and underwent surgery.

During the clashes a 20-year-old Palestinian was injured by gunfire in his shoulder and was taken to a hospital.

Sunday evening, an Israeli woman suffered light head injuries from stone throwing near the Kedumim settlement in the West Bank.

She arrived on her own to the settlement and was taken for medical treatment.

View original Arutz Sheva publication at: http://www.ynetnews.com/articles/0,7340,L-4348894,00.html