Soldier who shot Briton admits lying

[emad]

Israeli on trial for manslaughter says peace activist was unarmed

Chris McGreal in Jerusalem
Thursday December 16, 2004
The Guardian

The Israeli soldier on trial for killing the British peace activist Tom Hurndall in the Gaza Strip has admitted he was lying when he said his victim was carrying a gun, but said he was under orders to open fire even on unarmed people.

Sergeant Idier Wahid Taysir is charged with manslaughter for shooting Mr Hurndall, 22, as he tried to shelter children on the edge of Rafah from Israeli army gunfire in April last year. He died of his injuries in January.

The sergeant told the military court that after shooting Mr Hurndall he had reported it to his commander.

"I told him that I did what I'm supposed to; anyone who enters a firing zone must be taken out. always says this," he said.

http://www.guardian.co.uk/israel/Story/0,2763,1374851,00.html