Investigate Man’s Shooting Death In Askar Refugee Camp

PCHR Calls for Investigating Man’s Death during Fire Exchange between Gunmen and Security Officers in ‘Askar Refugee Camp, East of Nablus

The Palestinian Center for Human Rights (PCHR) calls upon the Attorney General’s office to seriously investigate the death of a Palestinian by a live bullet to the head during an exchange of fire between members of the Palestinian Preventive Security Service (PSS) and 3 gunmen in ‘Askar refugee camp, east of Nablus in the northern West Bank, which was followed by destruction of private and public property.

According to investigations conducted by PCHR, at approximately 19:45 on Tuesday, 28 August 2013, a number of PSS officers traveling in a civilian vehicle arrived in ‘Askar refugee camp, east of Nablus, to arrest a wanted person.  Once the wanted person noticed the security officers on the main road in the camp, he and another two gunmen fired at them, and the security officers returned fire.  During the exchange of fire, Amjad Falah ‘Ouda, 40, a carpenter who was in his workshop at the main road, was killed by a live bullet to the head. 

Soon after, dozens of young men set fire to a guardroom of the Palestinian National Security Forces in the Industrial School near the camp, and a guardroom of the Palestinian police near Balata refugee camp.  Other young men destroyed traffic lights, an ATM of Cairo-Amman Bank in Amman Street, and an ATM of Bank of Palestine at al-Ghawi intersection between ‘Askar and Balata refugee camps.  The protestors also set fire to the medical compound of the Palestinian security medical services in ‘Askar refugee camp.  In Rafidya Hospital, where ‘Ouda’s body was transferred, a number of young men from ‘Askar refugee camp damaged a number of cars near the hospital and set fire to a security vehicle.  They also threw stones at security officers.  Moreover, dozens of young men closed the entrance of al-Far’a refugee camp, south of Tubas, on Tubas-Nablus road, and set fire to rubber tires in protest against ‘Ouda’s death. 

PCHR condemns ‘Ouda’s killing and calls upon the Attorney General’s office to investigate the circumstances of his death, and subsequent attacks against private and public property and bring the perpetrators before justice.  PCHR confirms its position rejecting any attacks against private and public property.

ENDS

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