The trial of the murderers of Nizar Banat opens in Ramallah
Since the death of Nizar Banat in June 2021, protests have been organized frequently in Ramallah.
ABBAS MOMANI AFP / File
Text by: RFI Follow
2 min
Three months after the death of Nizar Banat, the trial of his alleged murderers opened on Monday, September 27 in Ramallah.
This famous Palestinian activist had been beaten to death by members of the Palestinian security forces.
To pay tribute to him and support his commitment, a small rally was held in front of the military court in Ramallah, where the trial is taking place.
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From our correspondent in Ramallah
,
Sami Boukhelifa
Quietly, friends, relatives of Nizar Banat, brandish placards with this inscription: "
a corrupt regime can not do justice
".
Ghassan, the brother of Nizar Banat, refuses to attend the hearing: “
We, members of the Banat family, do not want to be reunited in the same room with the murderers of Nizar.
In addition, this trial is that of little soldiers who are sacrificed.
They serve as fuses.
As long as the Minister of the Interior and senior Palestinian security officials are not on the dock, this trial will be nothing more than a charade
”.
"
Milestone
"
The hearing is expeditious.
But Ghandi Rebaï, lawyer for the civil party, said he was satisfied: “
This first day is an important step.
The facts of the crime have been established.
The victim, Nizar Banat, was beaten with a club while he was sleeping.
At no time did he try to resist, he was not even informed of the reasons for his arrest.
They then refused to take her to the hospital, which is another crime.
And therefore justice retains all these aggravating circumstances, and that is very important
”.
The fourteen members of the security forces accused of the murder of Nizar Banat have all pleaded "not guilty".
They risk between 7 years in prison and life imprisonment.
"
Justice for Nizar
"
Nizar Banat was known for his very critical positions against senior Palestinian Authority officials whom he accused of corruption.
Since June, demonstrations have been organized frequently in Ramallah, the city where the Palestinian Authority sits, under cries of "
Abbas clears
" and "
justice for Nizar
".
►
To read also: Trial of the Nizar Banat case in the West Bank: "I expect nothing from this trial"
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