Prisoner X Family May Get $1.6M From Israel as Compensation for Prison Suicide
Graphic by Angelie Zaslavsky
Ben Zygier, a Mossad agent whose 2010 suicide in Israeli prison rocked this country and his native Australia when his identity and death came to light early this year, hid his intent to commit suicide from his guards, according to the State Prosecutor’s Office.
Attorneys for Zygier’s family, who are negotiating a financial settlement with the state, dispute the claim, saying the Mossad and Prison Service were fully aware of the risk that Zygier might take his own life. Details from the classified transcripts of the discussions of the “Prisoner X” case are being published here for the first time following a request by Haaretz.
The family of Zygier, who committed suicide in his Ayalon Prison isolation cell in December 2010, is discussing financial compensation with the Justice Ministry and Prime Minister’s Office, which is in charge of the Mossad, following the Israel Prison Service’s negligence in his death.
Administrative and disciplinary proceedings against six prison guards and officers involved in the incident are nearing completion and the results will be published soon.
Central District Court President Daphna Blatman Kedrai, who concluded her investigation into Zygier’s death in December 2012, and whose report was published two months ago, determined that “failure by various elements in the Israel Prison Service caused his death.”
The amily of Zygier, currently discussing compensation with Justice Ministry and Prime Minister’s Office, says all signs were there; neither side willing to stipulate amount of compensation up for discussion, but it could reach an estimated NIS 5-6 million, or around US $1.65 million.
For more go to Haaretz
Hello, fellow Forward reader! I’m Joel Brown, a Forward reader and supporter for more than 15 years, and currently the chair of the board of directors.
I’m an avid Forward reader because it ticks so many of my essential boxes: excellent journalism, Jewish focus and diverse viewpoints. In today’s political climate, what I most appreciate is the Forward’s independence — made possible by the generosity of its membership.
The Forward is committed to bringing you unbiased, nuanced Jewish news. From my position as board chair, I see an exciting future as we expand our position as the definitive independent voice of contemporary American Judaism.
That’s why I’m paying it Forward, by matching $36,000 of reader gifts. It’s an investment in the Forward’s newsroom, to continue telling the American Jewish story with truth and independence.
— Joel Brown, Forward board chair
Support our mission to tell the Jewish story fully and fairly.
