Israel's Justice Ministry said Wednesday that police have charged an officer who was filmed beating a Palestinian-American teenager during a violent protest in July, according to Reuters.
Tariq Abu Khdeir, 15, of Tampa, Fla., was beaten at the east Jerusalem protest that followed the gruesome death of his cousin, Reuters reported.
Tariq Abu Khdeir has denied any wrongdoing, according to Reuters. He said he was slammed down, head first, when detained.
Khdeir added that his hands were tied behind his back and he was kicked in the face, stomach and ribs and went unconscious for a time, Reuters reported.
The Justice Ministry said a police investigation concluded that "evidence was found supporting the guilt of the police officer suspected of severe violent crimes," according to Reuters. The officers name nor charges were released.
Video footage of the beating was widely broadcast on newscasts and prompted the U.S. State Department to express concern, Reuters reported.
Israeli police said the 15-year-old was "taking an active part in the riot" and that he was masked and carrying a slingshot, Reuters reported.
Palestinian protesters were throwing firebombs and rocks at police at the large protest in east Jerusalem when the beating took place, according to Reuters.
His cousin, 16-year-old Mohammed Abu Khdeir, was burned to death by Israeli extremists in revenge for the killings of three Israeli teens in the West Bank in June, Reuters reported. Their deaths set off a chain of events that led to the Gaza war this summer.
Many of the teen's relatives continue to be incarcerated by Israeli police without charges, in apparent retaliation for the publicity over the case, said Hassan Shibly, executive director of the Council on American-Islamic Relations Florida and an attorney for the Khdeir family, in a statement, according to Reuters.
