Public opinion sways Gaza death penalty verdicts
There are concerns that Gaza's judiciary is being influenced by public opinion, obstructing defendants seeking to avoid a death penalty from receiving a fair trial.
KHAN YOUNIS, Gaza Strip — Although Palestinian society largely supports the death penalty against those who perpetrate premeditated serious crimes, there have been questions about the legality of accelerating the procedure for issuing death sentences. These sentences are sometimes issued within short periods of time, not exceeding a few months. This has raised fears that the courts have been influenced by public opinion and are not granting enough time for investigation and prosecution before issuing a sentence.
The most prominent of crimes that aroused public opinion in the Gaza Strip was the killing of young Elian Mohammed Telbani, the son of a well-known Gazan businessman who owns a cookie factory. As a result of this crime, popular pressure has been placed on the government and the judiciary, amid calls for speedy punishment of the perpetrators.
Telbani, 26, of Deir al-Balah in the central Gaza Strip, was killed on July 13, when five armed men robbed his father's factory. His father was wounded during the robbery.
By Aug. 28, the general prosecution had not issued any indictment against the accused in any court, according to Adel Khalifa, head of the Supreme Judicial Council and head of the Supreme Court.
