Prison sanctions Ashkelon prisoners

Israel's Ashkelon prison has imposed sanctions on some prisoners in section no. 18 for refusing to stop their prayers in order to be counted, the prisoners society said Tuesday. Inspectors entered the section during prayers and an officer demanded they stop, but the prisoners refused, according to the society. This led to a "high alert", and the prisoners were deemed undisciplined, it said. The society added that the administration has decided to impose sanctions on the prisoners such as shutting down the prison shop, forbidding visits for a month, and imposing fines. Nasser Naji, a representative of the prisoners, said the detainees had taken steps to protest the clampdown, and a meeting is planned between them and the prison administration. In the meantime, the prisoners in section 18 will not obey the dictates, Naji said.