The Gulf Time Newspaper One of the finest business newspapers in the UAE brought to you by our professional writers and editors.
Israel / AFP
An Israeli soldier caught on video shooting a wounded Palestinian assailant in the head as he lay on the ground appeared in a military court Tuesday as dozens of his supporters protested outside.
Prosecutors were seeking to extend the remand of the soldier until April 7 in a case that has gripped the country and sparked political tensions.
The 19-year-old soldier’s identity has been kept secret under a gag order, granted at the request of his lawyers.
The protesters called for the soldier’s release despite video footage shared widely online showing him shoot the Palestinian in the head without any apparent provocation.
Military top brass have strongly condemned his behaviour and Defence Minister Moshe Yaalon has pledged that the incident will be treated with “utmost severity”.
But far-right politicians have defended the soldier, and members of his family said he was being publicly “lynched” and would not receive a fair trial.