The Israeli Central Court in Jerusalem has sentenced 14-year-old Palestinian, ‘Mo’awiyeh Alqam’ to six-and-a-half years in prison for an alleged stabbing attempt, Quds Press reported.
Alqam’s family was further ordered to pay a fine of 26,000 Israeli shekels ($6,718).
The boy’s father, Ahmad, stated: “Such sentences are oppressive against our children. We should not remain silent,” adding, “Our children have a right to live freely and to have dignity like other children in the world”.
Israeli court sentences 14-year-old Palestinian boy to 6 years, he is just one of 414 children in prison. https://t.co/1kPpLXx3qP
— CP MacLochlainn (@CPMacL2008) July 18, 2016
Alqam’s sentence is based on a plea bargain reached between his lawyer and the Israeli prosecutor.
Alqam has previously refused to remain in a closed facility supervised by the Israeli government, preferring to remain with adult prisoners.
The Israeli forces shot and wounded Alqam and his 12-year-old cousin, Ali, after they allegedly injured an Israeli security guard on the light railway near the illegal Israeli settlement of Pisgat Zeev in northern Jerusalem in November 2015.
(MEMO, PC)
