Kiryat Sefer Man Beaten After Resisting His Mistaken Arrest In Anti-Espionage Operation

JERUSALEM (VINnews) — During an operation by the police and the Shin Bet in various charedi cities, a civilian was attacked and beaten after being mistakenly identified by the forces as a suspect.

The incident occurred during the night between Saturday and Sunday,  while several charedi men were being rrested on suspicion of engaging in espionage activities, including a yeshiva student who was arrested in front of his family.

One of the arrests sparked a wave of rumors in the neighborhood where it took place. Some protesters believed it was an arrest related to failure to report for military draft orders and hurried to demonstrate at the scene, but when it became clear that it was not connected to IDF conscription, they dispersed.

In Kiryat Sefer, an unusual incident occurred when the forces mistakenly arrived at the home of a man who was not a suspect in the case, arrested him forcefully, and as a result he was injured in his face and abdomen. According to eyewitnesses, a large force arrived at the home of a kollel member living in the city, handcuffed him, and beat him. After a search of the house that lasted about fifteen minutes, they left once it became clear that a mistake had been made.

“He showed me the injuries — his entire stomach was covered in bruises, and also his nose and face. They beat him badly. He looked bruised and injured,” an eyewitness said. He was later evacuated by ambulance.

The court has issued a gag order on the details of the affair, and at this stage no further information may be published.

In response, the police said: “During arrest operations carried out by officers of the Judea and Samaria District, the forces arrived at an apartment pursuant to a warrant in order to arrest a suspect in a case that is under a gag order. Upon the forces’ arrival, the occupant resisted their entry and attacked the officers. The officers used force in order to arrest him, and as a result the suspect was evacuated to receive medical treatment.”