Six Israeli police officers have been suspended accused of etching a Star of David onto an Arab prisoner’s face, as can be seen in these graphic images.
Victim Arwah Sheikh Al, from Shuafat refugee camp, East Jerusalem, say the Jewish religous symbol was carved into his left cheek when he was arrested.
Photographs of the livid red marks show how Sheikh Al emerged from police custody after he was freed, according to his lawyer.
The officers deny any wrongdoing and claimed the marks were caused by one officer’s bootlaces while the suspect was violently resisting arrest on drugs charges.
A group of officers were questioned on 12th September, with six of them suspended from their jobs pending further inquiries, according to local media.
Sheikh Al reportedly filed a complaint with the Department of Police Investigations last month saying: “They handcuffed me by the hands and feet and covered my eyes before making a mark on my cheek.
“A policeman applied a taser to my head, I felt something hot on my face. It’s not the police – it’s the mafia.”
Local media reported that 16 officers were present during his arrest, but none of them had their bodycams on.
Original arrest reports, it emerged, made no mention of Sheikh Al resisting police.
The victim was suspected of drug trafficking but was released from custody without charge a few days later.
The investigation is ongoing.
