Israeli prison fines sick prisoner

Israel’s Ashkelon Prison administrators have imposed a financial penalty on Palestinian prisoner Mohammed Khamis Brash after he asked to go to hospital for treatment, the Palestinian Prisoners Club (PPC) alleged on Wednesday. Brash, who suffers from serious health problems, is being held by Israel in what have been described as “inhumane” conditions.

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During a medical examination, the prisoner asked the nurse to be transferred to hospital to receive proper treatment. The nurse refused to countenance such a move and a fierce argument ensued, leading to Brash being fined NIS200 (around $51).

Brash, who only has one leg, is serving three life sentences plus 35 years. According to the PPC, his health problems have arisen due to neglect by the prison authorities. The organisation called on the Israeli Prison Service to transfer Brash to the hospital urgently for potentially life-saving treatment.