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
Did you know that only 2% of Forward readers donate to support our nonprofit newsroom? That 2% make it possible for millions to read the Forward without a paywall or subscription — removing any barriers to the full and fair Jewish story.
But while the Forward is free to read, it isn’t free to produce. Big stories — like deep dives into the antisemitism data, political scoops or reporting trips to college campuses — take months of research and fact-checking. All while we keep you informed of what you need to know each day.
— Rachel Fishman Feddersen, Forward Publisher & CEO
Support our mission to tell the Jewish story fully and fairly.
