INVESTIGATORS UNCOVER EVIDENCE OF ABUSE IN

S E C R E T JERUSALEM 001030

NOFORN
SIPDIS

NEA FOR FRONT OFFICE AND IPA; NSC FOR SHAPIRO/KUMAR; JOINT
STAFF FOR LTG SELVA

E.O. 12958: DECL: 06/18/2019
TAGS: PTER PINS PGOV MOPS ASEC PHUM KWBG
SUBJECT: INVESTIGATORS UNCOVER EVIDENCE OF ABUSE IN
DETAINEE DEATH

REF: JERUSALEM 1013

Classified By: Consul General Jake Walles for reasons 1.4 (b,d).


1. (S/NF) Summary: Palestinian Authority (PA) General
Intelligence (GI) officials have confirmed evidence of abuse
in the June 15 death of Haitham Abdel Allah Amre while in PA
custody. Initial reports that Amre fell to his death while
trying to escape appear to be "simply wrong," according to GI
officials. The PA investigation continues, and the
individuals responsible for Amre's detention have been
suspended pending the outcome. There is additional pressure
on the PA to act decisively in this case, as Amre's family is
well connected to both Fatah and PA security officials. End
Summary.

PA Officials:
Initial Account of Death "Simply Wrong"
--------------


2. (S/NF) Multiple mid- and high-level GI officials have
reported to PolSpec that investigators looking into the June
15 death of Haitham Abdel Allah Amre (reftel) have confirmed
that bruises and other signs of abuse were observed on Amre's
body prior to his burial. The same officials describe the
initial explanation offered for Amre's death - that Amre had
fallen from a high window in the course of an escape attempt
- as "simply wrong." While the investigation continues, GI
officials said they now expect to conclude that Amre's death
resulted from maltreatment. The Hebron-based interrogation
team that had Amre in custody at the time of his death has
been suspended from duty pending the completion of the
investigation.

Death Fans Tensions Between Security Forces
--------------


3. (S/NF) Amre's death has attracted increased attention
within Fatah and the PA due to the strong Fatah loyalties of
the Hebron-based Amre clan. Several of Amre's brothers,
including former Preventive Security Organization (PSO)
officer Nidal Amre, have PSO and/or Fatah ties. Nidal Amre
confirmed for PolSpec on April 17 that his family had
approached senior PA and Fatah members following Haitham
Amre's death to complain. Nidal Amre argued that, while his
brother's Hamas-affiliation, if proven, might have justified
detention, it could not excuse the alleged abuse. Amre's
death has also exacerbated long-running tension between the
PSO and GI. In an attempt to defuse the situation, senior PA
and Fatah officials, including Acting GI head Mohammed
Mansour, former PSO head Jibril Rajoub, and Hebron Governor
Hussein al-Araj, paid condolence calls on June 16 and 17 to
the Amre family.
WALLES