The Police Internal Investigations Unit has opened an investigation into the incident in which a Shuafat resident claimed that arresting officers branded him with a Star of David, police spokespeople said late Tuesday night.
One of the officers involved in the incident was called in for questioning on Wednesday.
The Shuafat resident, who had been arrested for drug offenses, alleged on Saturday that he had been abused in police custody – blindfolded, beaten, and by unknown means branded with a Star of David. The suspect’s lawyer said that the shape had been cut into his cheek with a shape object.
Police brutality
The attorney said that the assault, torture, and attempted humiliation of his client was an example of police brutality.
The 16 arresting police officers allegedly turned off their body cameras to conceal their conduct.A police spokesperson said Saturday that the allegations and publications distorted events to portray them in a racial light.
The Shuafat man’s house was raided with a warrant, and large quantities of drugs were found, including hashish, ecstasy, and methadone. The suspect allegedly violently attacked the officers and resisted arrest. The police had to use physical force to restrain the man.
The police claimed that the cuts on the man’s face resembled the shoelaces on the boots on one of the arresting officers.
Joanie Margulies contributed to this report.