Drama in Haifa: Well-known lawyer handcuffed and shackled, to file a massive lawsuit

Haifa lawyer Khalil Biadi, who specializes in criminal and traffic law, filed a complaint with the Police Investigation Department (Mahash) following a public arrest in central Haifa. The incident, which began with a patrol officer's claim of not wearing a seatbelt, escalated into being handcuffed and shackled, allegations of racist remarks, and the filing of what he claims are false traffic reports. Biadi intends to simultaneously file a civil lawsuit for false arrest, use of force, and damages caused to him.

The event took place on Saturday morning on HaNevi'im Street in Haifa, after a patrol officer ordered Biadi to stop his vehicle. After he rejected her claims regarding not wearing a seatbelt and illegal tinted windows, a verbal confrontation developed during which he told the officer:

"I am a lawyer, I promise you that I will tear you apart in court."

The officer viewed the statement as a threat and, according to the complaint, slammed the car door on his body, forcibly handcuffed and shackled him, and led him to the station. It is further alleged that during the drive, the officer turned off her body camera, hurled racist remarks at him due to his being Arab, and then turned it back on while filming him during the drive.

At the Haifa station, it was decided not to interrogate Biadi under caution on suspicion of threats, but to take only an open statement from him, after station officers determined there was no reasonable suspicion of a criminal offense. Despite this, two traffic tickets were issued against him for not wearing a seatbelt and failure to obey a police officer's order. To prove his version, Biadi underwent a polygraph test with expert Yaakov Friedlander, which determined that he was telling the truth in his claim that he was buckled up throughout the entire drive.

His attorney noted that the municipal camera footage, which was supposed to corroborate his version, was deleted due to a delay in executing the order by the police. Attorney Michael Carmel stated:

"This is a serious false arrest, rudeness, and the fabrication of false reports by law enforcement officials. Attorney Biadi left the station shamed and humiliated. We expect Mahash to act with maximum speed and prevent the officer from continuing to fabricate cases against other citizens."

The Israel Police stated in response to the incident: "The incident is under investigation by Mahash, and therefore we are prevented from commenting on the matter at this stage."