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