The Israel Defense Force has furloughed an officer accused of ordering his men to break the bones of Arab villagers in the West Bank, it was disclosed here Sunday.
Col. Yehuda Meir was sent on unpaid leave Nov. 1, while the High Court of Justice considers appeals for his trial by a military court.
According to the state prosecutor, Meir ordered soldiers under his command to break the arms and legs of 20 Arab residents of Beita and Huwara villages, in the Samaria district, shortly after the beginning of the intifada nearly two years ago.
An affidavit submitted last Friday to the court by the prosecutor showed that a decision was made six months ago to try Meir, though the chief of staff took steps not to publicize it.
According to the affidavit, the orders were clearly illegal and should not have been obeyed by officers and troops under Meir’s command.
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