Father of Arafat Jaradat, after identifying his son’s tortured body, Abu Kabir Forensic Institute, Feb. 24,2013 (Photo: Yotam Ronen/Activestills.org)
Ma’an News reports Arafat Jaradat died of extreme torture.
Minister: Autopsy shows torture killed Jaradat:
BETHLEHEM (Ma’an) — An autopsy has revealed that Arafat Jaradat died of extreme torture in Israeli custody and did not have a cardiac arrest, the PA Minister of Detainee Affairs said Sunday.
At a news conference in Ramallah, Issa Qaraqe said an autopsy conducted in Israel in the presence of Palestinian officials revealed that 30-year-old Jaradat had six broken bones in his neck, spine, arms and legs.
“The information we have received so far is shocking and painful. The evidence corroborates our suspicion that Mr. Jaradat died as a result of torture, especially since the autopsy clearly proved that the victim’s heart was healthy, which disproves the initial alleged account presented by occupation authorities that he died of a heart attack,” Qaraqe said……
The minister said Jaradat had sustained injuries and severe bruising in the upper right back area and severe bruises of sharp circular shape in the right chest area….. evidence of severe torture and on the muscle of the upper left shoulder, parallel to the spine in the lower neck area, and evidence of severe torture under the skin and inside the muscle of the right side of the chest. His second and third ribs in the right side of the chest were broken, Qaraqe said, and he also had injuries in the middle of the muscle in the right hand…Palestinian Prisoners Society president Qaddura Fares added that the autopsy revealed seven injuries to the inside of Jaradat’s lower lip, bruises on his face and blood on his nose…… heart was in good condition and there were no signs of bruising or stroke, the minister added.
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“Jaradat died due to torture and not a stroke or heart attack,” he said, adding that those responsible must be sued either through Interpol or the International Criminal Court.
Jaradat’s lawyer Kameel Sabbagh said he was tortured by Israeli interrogators. ……”When I entered the courtroom I saw Jaradat sitting on a wooden chair in front of the judge. His back was hunched and he looked sick and fragile,” Sabbagh said in a statement Sunday.
“When I sat next to him he told me that he had serious pains in his back and other parts of his body because he was being beaten up and hanged for many long hours while he was being investigated..When Jaradat heard that the judge postponed his hearing he seemed extremely afraid…..”
Israel is very skilled at using methods of torture that leave no marks. The injuries inflicted on Jaradat seem to be blatantly obvious. The obvious conclusion is that Israel wanted the torture to be detected. Why? To provoke a violent response just before, or even better, during Obama’s visit? Israel would love a violent intifada to occur so they can bring out the full ‘Poor Little Defenseless Israel’ schtick.
“When Jaradat heard that the judge postponed his hearing he seemed extremely afraid…..”
if only Dimadok had been there to reassure him.
Am watching Al Jazeera English now and this story is way down the line – behind the Italian elections, the Pope’s farewell speech and the scandal over a British cardinal. Although the report itself was quite good, it was fairly brief, with no interviews or live coverage.
Seems like my theory was correct – Al J is toning down its coverage of Palestine in an effort to get American approval.
The Health Ministry on Sunday said the autopsy showed “no signs of external trauma.”
In a statement, the ministry echoed the Palestinian account of the post mortum, saying that “two ribs were broken,” but added that the broken bones may indicate resuscitation attempts.
“No signs of external trauma were found apart from those pertaining to resuscitation [attempts] and a small graze on the right side of his chest,” the Health Ministry stated.
Yes. Resuscitation of cardiac arrest can result in broken ribs.
the israelis are blind to the fact that in short range, long range, things are f***ed up. not sure if that’s so true, but let’s leave it at that. obama’s visit and molotov cocktails might go together like peas and carrots, not sure yet. this torture death did not help matters. how often is there a torture death? not often. why now? carelessness? coincidence? maybe israel wants molotov cocktails and doesn’t want an obama visit. who knows.
coalition talks are about to get down to the nitty gritty. lots of political talk at purim table this evening where i sat. who did you vote for? they ask. didn’t know who i’d vote for til i got into the voting booth some of them say. but of course you people don’t want to hear about the jim crow nazis, so i’ll spare you.