Prisoner X Kin Offered Millions in Compensation by Israel
Graphic by Angelie Zaslavsky
Israel recently signed an agreement to pay several million shekels in compensation to the family of Ben Zygier − “Prisoner X” who committed suicide in Ayalon Prison in December 2010 − a source familiar with the affair said Thursday. It also emerged on Thursday that Zygier was negotiating a plea bargain before he died in jail.
The source said the compensation agreement was signed about six weeks ago at the end of an inquiry into the cause of the prisoner’s death.
After Zygier was found dead in his isolated, maximum- security cell in the prison, Rishon Letzion Magistrate’s Court President Daphna Blatman Kedrai held an inquiry into the circumstances of his death. The inquiry, held behind closed doors, continued for more than a year and a half.
At the end of the inquiry the judge ruled Zygier killed himself, but did not refer to the possibility of negligence on the prison wardens’ part, and passed the matter to the State Prosecutor’s Office.
For more, go to Haaretz.com
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