Criminal9/1/2026

12 Prison Service Employees Charged in Inmate's Death

The State Attorney's Office has charged 12 Israel Prison Service employees with causing the death of Taher Abu Asab through recklessness and assaulting eight other inmates. According to the prosecution, the employees jointly beat them with their fists, feet, and batons, while the shift commander directed the events.

Key facts

•Defendants: 12 Prison Service employees
•Victims: Taher Abu Asab and eight other inmates
•Court: Beersheba District Court
•Charges: causing death through recklessness and assault
•The case number and exact date are not specified in the source

What Happened

According to the indictment, before the inmate count, the shift commander stated that he would take responsibility for everything that happened and warned the female officers present not to enter the cell so they would not be harmed. He then led the group to the cell, began the count, and ordered his subordinates to enter.

What the Employees Are Accused Of

The prosecution alleges that the employees joined together to beat the inmates and cause them bodily harm. Taher Abu Asab and eight others were punched and kicked, while some of the defendants used batons. The shift commander allegedly directed the assault and personally struck one or more inmates.

Abu Asab's Death

After several minutes, the shift commander ordered the beating to stop. According to the prosecution, after leaving the cell, none of the employees reported either the assault or an exceptional incident during the count. Abu Asab soon lost consciousness; after being taken to the prison clinic, he was transported to Soroka Hospital, where he was pronounced dead. The indictment attributes his death to severe injuries to his heart and respiratory system caused by the blows.

Who Is Involved in the Case

The 12 defendants include the shift commander, prison guards, members of the Keter unit, and a dog handler. The State Attorney's Office filed the indictment with the Beersheba District Court through attorney Tal Cohen Adir of the Southern District Attorney's Office. The Prison Service said that the new commissioner had already terminated the service of some of those involved; the source did not specify whom.

Current Stage of the Case

These are charges, not a verdict: the employees' guilt has yet to be determined by the court. The source does not specify the case number, the exact date of the incident, the statutory provisions, or the possible sentence.

What this means for you

The case shows that the actions of prison employees in their treatment of inmates may result in personal criminal liability, including a charge of causing death. For inmates and their families, medical records, information about the timing of the incident, and reports concerning the use of force may be significant. However, the filing of charges does not in itself mean that the defendants have been found guilty.

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Case analysis based on court rulings