Senior police interrogator under investigation for abusing detainee

The allegations cited include pouring scalding hot water on the detainee multiple times when the detainee gave answers to questions that the interrogator did not like.

By YONAH JEREMY BOB
Israel Police logo (photo credit: Courtesy)
Israel Police logo
(photo credit: Courtesy)
The Police Investigations Department on Tuesday announced that a senior police commander and interrogator is under investigation for abusing a detainee three years ago.
The allegations cited include pouring scalding hot water on the detainee multiple times when the detainee gave answers to questions that the interrogator, who it was said serves in the Southern District, did not like.
The statement said that the abuse resulted in burns on multiple parts of the detainee’s body.
Next, the statement said that the incident came to light only recently, leading to a secret investigation which revealed evidence confirming the detainee’s claims of abuse.
The statement called the conduct “severe” and “disgraceful.”
Public Committee Against Torture in Israel head Dr. Ishai Menuchin responded saying he was “pleased that the Police Investigations Department opened an investigation, and hopes that the investigation does not conclude – like the other 93 percent of complaints to PID – with closing the case. If the case is closed, we hope that it is because of the interrogator’s innocence and not because of a systematic policy to close cases.”