An Israeli judge has told a World Vision employee charged with giving millions of dollars to Hamas that he has “little chance” of being found not guilty.
In the Beersheba District Court, Judge Nasser Abu Taha held a mediation session on Tuesday between the lawyers of Mohammad El Halabi and the Israeli prosecution.
Last August El Halabi was arrested and charged with passing millions of dollars to the Palestinian hardline militant group Hamas.
Israeli officials claimed the humanitarian worker siphoned off government funds and charity donations to build tunnels, buy weapons and pay for the salaries of Hamas militants.
He has rejected a plea deal offered by Israeli authorities and has pleaded not guilty, claiming he is innocent of all charges.
El Halabi has accused Israeli authorities of torturing him while in custody.
Judge Nasser Abu Taha told El Halabi that in a security case like this, he does not have much hope of being found not guilty.
Read the full article by Sophie McNeill at ABC News.
[Refer to this article about Judge Nasser Abu Taha, whose car has been fire-bombed. He is the first Bedouin district judge and apparently has a reputation for valuing justice and education.]