Particle.news

Download on the App Store

Palestinian Teen Ahmad Manasra Released After Completing Prison Sentence

Manasra, convicted at 13 for a 2015 attack, faces lasting mental health challenges linked to harsh prison conditions.

Ahmed Manasra (C), a 14-year old Palestinian boy, convicted of the attempted murder of two Israelis in a stabbing in October 2015, leaves the District Court in Jerusalem after his sentencing hearing on November 7, 2016.
The court sentenced Manasra to 12 years in jail for the knife attack, his lawyer said. / AFP / AHMAD GHARABLI        (Photo credit should read AHMAD GHARABLI/AFP via Getty Images)
Image
Image

Overview

  • Ahmad Manasra, imprisoned in 2015 at age 13 for his role in an East Jerusalem knife attack, has been released after serving nine-and-a-half years.
  • The attack, carried out with his cousin, critically injured a 13-year-old Israeli boy and an Israeli man; his cousin was killed during the incident.
  • Manasra developed schizophrenia during his incarceration, which included prolonged solitary confinement and limited psychiatric care.
  • Repeated appeals for early release on humanitarian grounds were denied due to his conviction on terrorism charges.
  • The case highlights broader concerns over the treatment of juvenile offenders and the impact of harsh prison conditions on mental health.