IDF: This is not Prisoner X, there is no reason to publish the name and photo of the officer who died

June 10, 2021   

The case of the intelligence officer who died in prisonThe IDF said today (Thursday) that this is not Prisoner X, there is no security reason to publish his name and photo, and that the ban on publishing the details at this stage comes only at the request of the family. The army also updated that the investigation into his death is ongoing and that a team of experts has been established to examine the IDF's incarceration system. The IDF today published an official statement on the mysterious death of the 25-year-old officer, who was accused of committing serious security offenses: "The officer was detained at military detention bases. He was imprisoned under his own name, was in contact with the incarceration staff, and was in the vicinity of other inmates. The officer was in a cell with other inmates and not in isolation. During his stay in prison, the officer was granted the rights required. "While imprisoned, the officer received ongoing medical treatment and support from mental health officials." The IDF further claims that the officer's family members visited him at the detention base and were in regular contact with him. In addition, the officer was in contact with two of his friends, and officials from the Intelligence Branch visited him several times. The findings of the investigation so far also indicate that the officer was aware of the potential damage to state security as a result of his actions, and even tried to hide them. "Naturally, the circumstances of the commission of the offenses are not permitted to be published for security reasons." The tragic death of the late officer is currently being examined in a dedicated investigation by the Internal Investigations Unit (IHU) in the Personnel Branch. The IHU is the military equivalent of the Internal Investigations Unit, which operates independently and is headed by a senior reservist. The Human Resources Division has appointed a team of experts, headed by Brigadier General (res.) Mickey Luria, who will examine the IDF's incarceration system from a systemic and broad perspective, with an emphasis on the incarceration of prisoners with unique characteristics. The lawyer for the family of officer Benny Kuznitz: "The IDF spokesman forgot that we are not in the 1980s, and just as it is impossible to make anyone disappear, it is impossible to brief journalists and publish irresponsible statements. The content of the statement contradicts the agreements with the Attorney General's Office, as the security risks of the statement have not yet been examined by the Operations Division.".