Burn a tire, block traffic, go to jail for years. (AP)
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| By: israelinsider staff |
| Published: March 22, 2005 |
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Attorney General Menachem Mazuz warned that protesters blocking roads and disturbing the peace will be punished with draconian penalties unheard in any other Western democracy, Yedioth Ahronoth reported Monday.
In cases where protestors cause traffic disturbances, indictments with a maximum sentence of 20 years may be filed against them.
The Jerusalem Post quoted sources which said that this extreme charge would only be applicable in cases where the protest was suspected of "endangering life," such as "if a demonstrator throws a rock at a vehicle or pours oil on the road."
Mazuz denied any link between freedom of speech and blocking public roads, ynetnews reported. Blocking major traffic routes is a violent offense that restricts the public's freedom of movement, he said.
Mazuz's comments came after more than 100 right-wing demonstrators set fire burning tires on Tel Aviv's Ayalon Freeay last week, creating a blaze and a traffic jam which lasted a half hour.
Police detained 18 activists suspected of disrupting traffic on the highway. A justice official said the protesters were shocked that they had been held for eight days. "Imagine their surprise when in turns out to be eight years," one source said.
"The continual arrests, quick enforcement and incarcerated imprisonment will calm their enthusiasm to harm the country's agenda," a legal source quoted by ynetnews said. |
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