Negev Coexistence Forum for Civil Equality
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Police Keep on Trying to Hinder the Struggle of Al-Arakib: Sheikh Sayyah Al-Turi was Detained with no Ground, then Released with no Terms

09.10.2013

Sheikh Sayyah A-Turi, the Sheikh of the village of Al-Arakib, was detained by police on Wednesday (October 9) in the village of Al-Arakib that was demolished again by the authorities on Tuesday (October 8). He was taken to Rahat police station and then moved to the district police headquarters in Be’er-Sheva. After long hours in custody, he was released. Despite an attempt by police to release him with a 30 days restraining order from the village, he was released with no terms and immediately went back to his village.

 

The arrest of the Sheikh was just another attempt by the police to hinder the struggle of Al-Arakib, as during the last months, a couple of residents were arrested and the village was demolished a dozen of times. On August 26, the village of Al-Arakib was demolished for the third time in two weeks and more than 50 times all in all. After the demolition, 4 of its residents were arrested, including the Sheikh of the village. They were accused of trespassing and disobeying a legal order. On August 27, their court hearing started at the Be’er-Sheva Court, but the judge decided that his ruling will be presented only on Friday, August 30.

On Friday, the judge ruled that the residents will be released with no restraining orders (that the state demanded). Then, state appealed to the district court against the release terms. During a hearing held at the district court of Be’er-Sheva, the judge asked both sides to discuss and find an accepted solution. As the sides did not agree on a solution, the judge ruled that the residents of the village will be allowed to enter the area of the village but any construction will be forbidden, and that all the structures, build since August 26, will be demolished.  In order to enforce the ruling, a high bail was set for every violation of the release terms, which can be replaced by imprisonment.