A mischievous teenager hoping to use his father’s diplomatic status from Israel to escape two felony charges after he allegedly ran over a Florida police officer won’t make it.
Avraham Gil, 19, the son of Administrative Consul Eli Gil of the Israeli Consulate in Miami, was deemed ineligible for immunity granted by foreign diplomats in the US.
“The department is aware of this incident. We can confirm that, as a dependent of an Israeli consular officer, the individual is not entitled to civil or criminal immunity,” the US State Department said in a statement obtained by NBC Miami.
Gil was arrested on January 27, as he was weaving in and out of cars on his motorcycle in Sunny Isles Beach, when a police lieutenant, conducting a traffic stop, saw the teenager and ordered him to stop.
The traffic-hating motorcyclist, not listening to instructions, allegedly continued to ride toward the officer and “intentionally hit him” just after 3:30 p.m. on Collins Avenue.
Gil told officers he weaved through vehicles because he “hated waiting behind traffic,” according to the Miami New Times, citing a police report.
Avraham Gil will face two criminal charges in Florida after he was deemed ineligible for consular immunity. Local 10
The officer suffered “incapacitating” injuries to his left leg but pulled Gil off his bike and took him to the ground, according to the outlet.
During Sunday’s bond hearing, Gil’s attorneys argued that the teenager’s charges should be dropped because they claim Miami-Dade law does not apply to him because he has consular immunity.
Gil has been charged with battery on a law enforcement officer and resisting an officer with violence, both felonies.
Gil told officers he weaved through vehicles because he “hated waiting in the back of traffic.” Sunny Isles Beach Police The officer suffered “incapacitating” injuries to his left leg but pulled Gil off his bike and took him to the ground, according to the outlet. Sunny Isles Beach Police
Gil’s attorney criticized the Sunny Isles Beach police for failing to recognize the teenager as a member of the consulate member’s family.
“It is important for law enforcement officials to quickly and accurately identify the status of any person who identifies themselves as part of a diplomatic convoy, which Mr. Gil does several times per procedure,” David Seltzer said in a statement obtained by WPLG.
“In the near future, the Sunny Isle Police Department … failed to follow established protocols and procedures to identify whether Mr. Gil did, in fact, have immunity.”
Seltzer said the teenager had just gone out for a drive when he accidentally bumped into the lieutenant.
“As can be seen from the video moments before the incident, Mr. Gil was just driving and did not intend to hit the police officer, and there is no evidence to the contrary,” Seltzer said. “When all the facts are revealed, we are confident that Mr. Gil will be released.”
Part of Gil’s legal defense is the State Department booklet “Diplomatic and Consular Immunity: A Guide for Law Enforcement and Judicial Authorities.”
“Family members who form part of a diplomatic agent’s household enjoy the same privileges and immunities as the sponsoring diplomatic agent,” the State Department guide reads.
Among the privileges agents receive is complete immunity from the criminal jurisdiction of host country courts, and they cannot be prosecuted regardless of offense unless that immunity is “waived by the sending country”.
The teenager, who lives in Aventura, was pictured crying during her photo shoot last weekend before she was released from custody.
During a bond hearing on Sunday, Gil’s attorneys argued that the teenager’s charges should be dropped because they claim Miami-Dade law does not apply to him because he has consular immunity. Local 10 Gil’s lawyer said he was confident the teenager would be released “when all the facts come out.” Local 10
“The defense attorney’s representation was believed and the defendant was released on his own recognizance,” a spokeswoman for the Miami-Dade State Attorney’s Office said, according to Local10.
“After receiving confirmation from the State Department, Office of Foreign Missions, that neither the defendant nor his father have diplomatic immunity, we continued our investigation as usual. Mr. Gil is still charged and the case is still open.”
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Source: thtrangdai.edu.vn/en/
