Two Israelis from Bedouin village charged with murder of another resident

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One man and a minor from a Bedouin village in the Galilee were indicted on Friday for the murder of another resident, as the number of Arab community members killed this year continues to climb.

The two were not charged with killing the victim’s sister, who also died at the scene.

Samar Shakur, 44, and a 17-year-old minor were charged with shooting Hassan Ramihi to death during an altercation in the village of Ibtin between his relatives and those of the minor. The police think the cause was a land dispute. The incident included shooting and rock throwing.

Hassan Ramihi.Hassan Rimihi

Ramihi’s sister, Subhiya, 60, collapsed during the altercation and was later pronounced dead at the hospital. The police investigated the incident as a double murder, and recommended charging the two men with two counts of murder.

Prosecutors decided differently due to a legal opinion from the Institute for Forensic Medicine in Abu Kabir, which stated that Subhiya was not injured in the shooting or by any of the objects thrown, so it was not possible to conclude that her death was caused as a result of the violent incident.

Another sister was also injured during the confrontation.

Shakur and the minor were charged with aggravated battery and weapons violations, and the minor was also charged with firing a weapon. Prosecutors asked to detain the two until the legal proceedings against them had concluded.

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A number of the defendants’ relatives were released this week after being held for a few days on suspicions of murder, but not enough evidence was found to link them to the shooting.

Since the beginning of the year, 69 people have been murdered in the Arab community, including ten women. Just this week, five people were murdered throughout the country: a 41-year-old was shot dead in Haifa, a 42-year-old man was stabbed in Netanya, a 23-year-old resident of Lod was shot dead, the body of a 48-year-old was found in Karkom, and a 38-year-old man was allegedly murdered in Safed. Only in the last two cases have the police arrested suspects.