Prisoner paralyzed from Israeli guard beating, father says

Ma'an
A beating by Israeli prison guards has caused a Palestinian man in Israeli custody to became completely paralyzed, the Wa’ed Society for Detainees said on Saturday.

The prisoner, identified as 33-year-old Muhammad Abu Libda from the northern Gaza town of Jabaliya, was in good health when he was detained, his father said, adding that injuries he sustained in the Ashkelon prison were never properly treated.

Muhammad's father said his son participated in a prisoners strike in 2004, and was beaten by guards who accused him of inciting the event. According to Abu Mhuammad, his son had his third and fourth vertibrates damaged during the beating, and has spent the last six years in the prison hospital.

Saber Abu Karsh, the prisoners society director, said doctors confirmed Saturday morning that Muhammad was fully paralyzed, and the director accused Israeli prison doctors of failing to provide the necessary treatment. He said the man's condition deteriorated over the past six years, and was entirely treatable.

The society called for the immedieate release of Abu Libda, and called on the International Red Cross to intervene...   Full story