IDF Company Commander and soldier charged with severely abusing Palestinian youth

The IDF prosecutors office has filed charges against a company commander and a soldier in the reserves for severely abusing a Palestinian youth, Israel Radio reported

The charges against lieutenant-colonel (Res.) Sagi Geva and another soldier claim that while serving in the village of Doha near Bethlehem, the two were carrying out searches for a man when they discovered his son.

The commander threatened the youth with a loaded rifle, before commanding him to remove his pants and underwear. The two then held a flame near the youth's genitalia.

In addition the two are charged with sexually abusing the boy and beating him. The incident occured three months ago.