Al Mezan Expresses Regret for the Death of Citizen Killed by Police and Calls for Opening an Investigation into the Incident
8 June 2013
Al Mezan Center for Human Rights expresses its deep regret for the death of Raed Jundiya who, according to Al Mezan’s preliminary investigations, was killed in a skirmish with Palestinian police as they tried to arrest him.
Al Mezan calls for opening an immediate investigation into the incident and referring to court whoever is proved guilty of breaching the law.
Al Mezan’s field research points out that on Saturday, 22nd June 2013, at approximately 3:30 pm, Raed Qasim Jundiya, 28, who is a resident of Al-Shijaeya neighborhood, east of Gaza, was hit in the head by live ammunition and is now in a critical condition.
His brother, Alaa Jundiya, 42, was shot in his right hand.
Shortly afterwards, on Sunday afternoon, 23rd June 2013, medical sources at Al-Shifaa hospital announced the death of Jundiya.
According to police sources, the incident took place while Palestinian police followed and tried to arrest Raed Jundiya on charges related to a “breach” he committed, Palestinian police said.
While the Jundiya family accused the police force of opening fire and committing murder, government police says they acted in response to fire shooting by the Jundiya brothers who opened fire toward police first.
Gaza police spokesman Ayyoub Abu Shaar assured Al Mezan that an investigation has been opened into the incident, and the investigation is still going on.
Al Mezan Center for Human Rights expresses its deep regret for the death of Jundiya and the injury of his brother and condemns the recurrence of similar incidents which included the use of fatal fire leading to multiple deaths and injuries among civilians.
Al Mezan reiterates its call for the need to open a serious investigation into the police behavior and to prosecute and punish whoever is proved guilty of breaching the law.
Al Mezan also stresses the need for ensuring the rule of law in the Gaza Strip as well as restricting the police use of live ammunition within the framework of law.
End.