ANNEX 3
REPORT ON THE AL AQSA
UPRISING 2000
Israeli Defence Forces (IDF)
Attn: Shani
Fax: (03) 608-0334
Jerusalem, 18 November 2000
Re:
Need of comment regarding the death of Yousuf Suleiman Abu Awwad, ID No.
99208308-9, born 26.01.1970, resident of Beit Omar, Hebron District.
Today, two representatives from our
organisation witnessed the autopsy of Yousuf Suleiman Abu Awwad (30)
performed in the Forensic Medicine Department of the Palestinian Ministry
of Justice in Abu Dis. We will issue a press release on this case in the
near future, and would like to include your comments. As such, please get
back to us at your earliest convenience.
Our understanding thusfar is as follows:
The autopsy established that Yousuf Suleiman Abu Awwad was shot in the
head at a close range with one single shot. According to the forensic
doctors, Abu Awwad was shot from a distance of more than 75 cm, with a
high velocity bullet which exploded inside the head. Because of the huge
damage of the skull, the doctors argued that the victim was shot from a
short distance.
Witnesses report to PHRMG that the victim
was in a car with two other people on their way from a visit to the
victim’s brother’s house. They were approaching Beit Omar when stopped by
Israeli soldiers on Thursday, November 16, at around 7:30 p.m. Israeli
soldiers forbid the car to enter to Beit Omar. Abu Awwad stopped his car,
and one of the soldiers (a black male) hit his car with a stone. Abu Awwad
got out of his car and started shouting to the soldier. The soldier then
immediately shot Abu Awwad in his head, while accusing him of trying to
steal his weapon. According to the witnesses, no provocation took place
that could result in the opening of fire. Abu Awwad was not armed. The
witnesses further report that the captain on the scene approached the
soldier and confiscated his weapon while asking him the reason for
shooting. The soldier repeated that the victim tried to steal his weapon.
The soldier was immediately taken away from the scene and transported to
the IDF headquarter of the West Bank.
It seems that Mr. Abu Awwad was murdered.
It is evident that the soldier violated the ‘Opening Fire Regulations’ by
shooting the victim in the head, rather than his legs. We request a
response on the following:
1)
Is the soldier in question under arrest?
2)
Has an investigation file been opened on the killing of Abu Awwad?
3)
Is the I.D.F. taking pro-active steps to ensure that soldiers obide
by Opening Fire Regulations?
4)
Why was no autopsy ordered of Abu Awwad’s body from the Israeli
side? He was a resident of Area B.
Thank you for your cooperation.
Yours Sincerely,
Bassem Eid
Executive Director
PHRMG
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