Many of you already know that 16 year-old Shadi Khoury was allowed to return home under house arrest after 41 days of "Administrative Detention", first in Jerusalem's infamous Moskobiya Interrogation Center, and later in Damon Prison east of Haifa. Two other boys arrested and seen in court at the same time were similarly released, but three other teens are still being detained.
Following the early morning raid on his home last October 18th, during which he was beaten for refusing to change out of his pajamas in front of the squad of armed soldiers, Shadi was hauled into a Jerusalem courtroom a half dozen times, only to have the hearing delayed by either the Prosecutor or Judge. During all this time, neither Shadi's lawyer, Nasser Odeh, nor his parents, Suhail Khoury and Rania Elias were able to obtain a clear understanding of the charges against the exemplary 11th-grader from the Friends (Quaker) School in Ramallah.
Finally, after nearly 4 weeks of delay and rescheduling, during which there was a growing outpouring of local and international support for Shadi's release, the Judge ordered the Probation Office to interview Shadi and report back with a recommendation. That recommendation was for Shadi to be released to his home and family upon the payment of bail and his promise to remain at home until his case is resolved. The recommendation did not even require an electronic ankle bracelet to monitor the teen's location.
The judge was willing to accept the Probation Officer's recommendation and ordered it so. The prosecution, however, was not done and immediately appealed the Judge's ruling to the Israeli Supreme Court. Finally, after several additional days waiting in prison for the appeal to be heard, the Supreme Court upheld the decision of the District Court and Shadi was allowed to return home late on Sunday of this week.
Shadi's mother could not hide her joy on Facebook as she posted "Shadi will be free today by the decision of the Supreme Court🌹" She continued, "Although [his release] is conditional on house arrest, restrictions and bails, etc, and the case and court procedures will continue while he is in house arrest, the most important thing he will be with us at home, our warm home, in the place where he should be, with Aboud (his dog). With all his family, friends around him, he will watch the World Cup and follow the matches with us, continue his education for this period remotely, and we will celebrate Christmas together."
Shadi's grandmother (and Sabeel co-founder) Samia Khoury was also excited to see him released. Though she had hoped to have him home in time for her 89th birthday observance earlier in the week, she told a substantial list of email friends and supporters, "[Shadi] is on his way home now, and the whole neighborhood is preparing his favorite dish of koussa wa waraq (stuffed zucchini and vine leaves)." She continued, "This first Sunday of Advent was a good omen, and will remain a memorable day for Shadi and all the family and his friends."
At this time, Shadi's next court appearance is scheduled for Monday, December 12th. We will continue to follow his case as it develops, and we encourage you to continue to advocate for him and the more than 120 other Palestinian children as young as 12 who are currently being held under Administrative Detention. Contact your elected officials (again) using this Action Alert from the Episcopal Public Policy Network and post on social media using the hashtags #StandWithShadi and #FreeShadi.
Shadi's mother writes, "Dear friends, we are thankful and grateful for everything you have done for Shadi; to everyone who stood with us; to each and everyone who worked, followed, wrote, composed, drew, launched campaigns and talked about Shadi."
