Machmud Ali Shawaura from the village of Al-Nuaman was found unconscious last Sunday having been dragged on the ground by his mule, to which he was tied by his hand.

He died in hospital on Thursday. Earlier on that morning Machmud and his brother Daud were on their way to Um-Tuba, a neighbourhood within Jerusalem, and therefore forbidden land for the inhabitants of Al-Nuaman who carry West-Bank IDs.
The brothers decided to take the chance and do this way since Daud had to pay a fine for building without permission, and these fines can only be paid in the post office within Jerusalem. The two were caught by a patrol of the border police. Daud was taken to a police station to sign the notorious "illegal staying form" (if one is caught thrice, imprisonment is automatic). Machmud refused to go with them having no place to leave his mule. When Daud left  in one of the border police cars, his brother was still arguing with three policemen who stayed with him. This was the last moment Machumud was seen before he was found that afternoon.

Last Thursday the legal representative of the village demanded investigation by the "department for investigation of police activities" (MACHASH). They were quick: on Friday we already heard on the radio that they believe there is no connection between Machumud's "accident" and his detentions by the policemen earlier on that day.

At the moment the inhabitants and their lawyer are trying to make sure investigation does not stop before whatever happened during these hours is completely cleared out.