Now here is a real case of torture, that you won't see reported in the MSM:
Family of 'collaborator' demands justice
By KHALED ABU TOAMEH
The family of a mentally retarded Palestinian man who was tortured to death earlier this month on charges of "collaboration" with Israel is demanding that the Palestinian Authority launch an investigation into the case and bring the murderers to trial.
The Jerusalem-based Palestinian Human Rights Monitoring Group has also called for an inquiry into the murder, which was carried out by Fatah gunmen belonging to the Aqsa Martyrs Brigades militia.
Mohammad Noubani, a 36-year-old father of three from the village of Deir Ghassaneh near Ramallah, was kidnapped by Fatah gunmen in mid-January on suspicion that he was a "collaborator" with Israel.
According to testimonies collected by the human rights group, Noubani's hands were tied to his back and he was hung naked on an olive branch. He was tortured sadistically and forced to admit that he was a "collaborator."
It said Noubani was beaten severely and the kidnappers extinguished cigarettes on his body. After the gunmen tortured him for two days, they left him half dead. Noubani was transferred to a hospital in Ramallah, where he was pronounced dead, the group said.
Noubani left behind a wife, three young children and ailing parents. His family was not only deeply hurt by the gruesome murder, but was also disgraced by pamphlets issued by the Aqsa Martyrs Brigades, which claimed that Noubani was a "traitor."
However, the assailants later issued another leaflet clearing Noubani of the charges.
The victim's children have since refused to go to school for fear of being sneered by their peers. The family is refusing to bury the body in an attempt to put pressure on the PA to take action against the culprits.
"We believe it is very important that the accusation of collaboration and torture of Noubani is investigated thoroughly so that his name is cleared," the human rights group added.
It pointed out that 99 suspected "collaborators" have been murdered since the beginning of the intifada more than four years ago. Another 200 Palestinians were killed by various armed groups for crime-related reasons.
"We urgently call upon the PA and especially upon Mr. [Mahmoud] Abbas as the newly elected president to pay serious attention to the internal chaos and killings of Palestinians by their own brothers and in particular to this specific case," the group said.
"Torture should be prevented at all times and it is essential that cases of torture are investigated in depth and that perpetrators are punished accordingly. The PA must put a halt to torture and killings of suspected collaborators within Palestinian society.
"We urge the PA to investigate the horrible death of Noubani and to adhere to the rule of law. What makes this case even more inhuman and tragic was that the victim was suffering from a mental disorder and was therefore unable to completely defend himself against allegations of collaboration with Israel."
jpost.com |
