Military appeals court’s last word awaited in Hebron soldier’s case

At noon Sunday, the IDF military appeals court in Tel Aviv is due to hand down its decision regarding two appeals in the case of Elor Azariya, one of the most hotly disputed Israel has seen. The soldier has appealed his sentencing to 18 months in prison after he was convicted of manslaughter for shooting a wounded Palestinian terrorist in Hebron last year. The military prosecution has appealed the sentence as too light and called for two years in jail. The soldier, who persistently pleaded not guilty, received wide popular support. He maintained in court that he acted on the belief that the terrorist who had stabbed his comrades was still dangerous, even though he lay prone on the ground. The chief of staff and defense minister rebuked Azariya for acting against IDF ethics when he shot an injured man. The case cost Moshe Ya’alon the job of defense minister. Israeli radio and TV will broadcast the court’s decision live in response to wide interest in the case.
 

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