The Israeli Security Services (Shabak) inflict physical punishment on Tali Fahima during her interrogation

Tali Fahima, a peace activist from Qyriat Gat suspected of contacting the leader of the AlAqsa Martyrs Brigade in Jenin, Zakaryia Zbeide, was arrested on August 8, 2004, and turned over to the interrogators of the Israeli Security Services (Shabak). The interrogation methods used against her included sleep deprivation, food deprivation, tying her to a chair for long intervals of time and sexual harassment.

When after 28 days of intensive interrogation no evidence was found to sue her, she was not released but transferred to administrative detention in the Newe Tirtza prison for 3 months. During this period of arrest (from September 5, 2004 to December 5, 2004) Tali Fahima was kept separated from the other prisoners. She was allowed access to only a limited number of books, and deprived of the right to make phone calls, except to her lawyer. She was repeatedly punished with isolation and denial of visits, cigarettes and access to the cantine.

On Sunday, December 12, 2004, Tali Fahima was transferred again to the Shabak interrogations compound for 12 days. In a meeting with her lawyer Smadar Ben Nathan she complained about:

1. Interrogations lasting for hours where she is tightly handcuffed to a chair, behind her back. During visit time she was also held tightly handcuffed and the scars were clearly visible on her wrists. Despite the request of her lawyer, the prison guard refused to release her hands, arguing that “those are the orders”. It should be remembered that an Israeli Supreme Court decision (The Committee Against Torture in Israel vs. The State of Israel) forbade the tying of prisoners and tight handcuffing as methods of physical punishment.

2. Tali Fahima was denied access to the toilets during the interrogations for hours on end. Her interrogators, including one calling himself “Gil,” said to her that the Israeli Security Services instructions allow denial of access to the toilet.

3. In spite of the long interrogation periods lasting late into the night, she was asked to wake up at dawn. When she refused to do it, she was denied access to cigarettes for 4 days.

4. Tali Fahima is brought into the interrogation compound with her eyes covered so tightly that the blue scars resulting from the pressure are clearly visible on her brow, according to her lawyer.

5. The interrogators and male prison guards come into close physical contact with her.

Tali was given to understand that the harsh conditions and methods are used against her because she is exercising her right to remain silent, though this is a legal right which in no way entitles the authorities to punish her physically.

For more details contact Tali’s lawyer, Smadar Ben Nathan: 052-3589775