Israeli police downgraded a homicide charge on Friday against a Jewish settler suspected of killing a Palestinian in what the United States has described as a "terror attack."
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A new remand request filed by police, a copy of which was obtained by Haaretz and shared with Reuters, showed Yehiel Indore was accused of "deliberate or depraved-indifference homicide" in the Aug. 4 shooting of 19-year-old Qusai Maatan.
Video: Mourners bid farewell to Palestinian killed by Jewish settlers in West Bank / Credit: Reuters
Police detained two settlers in last Friday's incident near Burqa village and said an investigation of the case was ongoing, though there has been no formal indictment.
But unlike in previous remand requests in the case, he was no longer accused of acting out of "racist motivation" – an addendum which, under Israeli law, gives courts latitude to impose harsher punishment in the event of a conviction. He will remain in custody for the next few days while he is hospitalized for wounds sustained during the clash with the Palestinians.
Another suspect who was with him during the incident, Elisha Yered, was released Friday to house arrest.
Washington, whose traditionally close ties with Israel have become strained, has described the incident as a "terror attack by Israeli extremist settlers".
Remand requests are made to keep suspects in custody while police investigations proceed. A legal source said the amended police allegations would not necessarily bar more serious charges in an indictment if one is pursued.
Palestinians said the suspects were part of a group of some 150 to 200 settlers who threw rocks, torched cars, and, when confronted by villagers, shot dead Maatan and wounded several others.
A defense lawyer said the settlers – including Indore, who remains in hospital due to a head injury he says was caused by a rock thrown at him – acted in self-defense.
On Thursday, a military court ordered a Palestinian father and three of his sons who were detained over the settler raid to be released on bail.
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