David Edri charged at Yehuda Etzion on horseback, trampled him under hooves in "unnecessary" attack.
By JPOST.COM STAFFamona riot gear 248.88(photo credit: AP)
The Jerusalem Magistrate's Court on Tuesday convicted David Edri, a former mounted policeman, for assaulting protester Yehuda Etzion during the violent evacuation of Amona in February 2006.
According to the charge sheet, during police attempts to clear protesters, Edri charged on his horse at Etzion, knocked him over, and trampled him under the horses' hooves. As a result, Etzion's head hit the ground and he sustained many wounds, including to his head.
In her verdict, Judge Rivka Friedman-Feldman ruled that Edri's actions toward Etzion consisted of disproportionate use of force, especially since they were not leveled at a group, but rather a lone protester, and not a young one at that. "Galloping at the complainant was unnecessary, it wasn't to prevent an attack on police, nor was it needed in order to evacuate the outpost or for any other end."
"The defendant made no effort to avoid harming the complainant, he didn't avert his horse nor did he attempt to halt… the result was predictable and inevitable. Galloping at the complainant was unnecessary," the verdict continued.
"There is no doubt that sometimes, while dispersing demonstrations in which police are subject to violence, protesters will also be hurt. Reasonable force may be used when the protesters leave police no other option," wrote the judge.
Edri announced he would appeal the verdict.
if(catID != 151){
var cont = `Take Israel home with the new Jerusalem Post Store
