Arafat poisoning inquiry dropped by French prosecutors

[webfact]

France dismisses inquiry into Yasser Arafat's death

PARIS (AP) — French magistrates have decided to dismiss an inquiry into the 2004 death of former Palestinian leader Yasser Arafat, whose widow claims he was poisoned.

The assistant prosecutor in Nanterre, Emmanuelle Lepissier, told The Associated Press that Tuesday's decision was made "because there was not sufficient evidence that Yasser Arafat was assassinated by polonium (poisoning) or the intervention by another person."

In July, a French prosecutor said there was not enough reason to bring charges and asked that the case be dismissed, and in March French experts ruled out the theory that radioactive poisoning caused the Palestinian leader's death.

After a 2012 report that traces of polonium were found on Arafat's clothing, Arafat's widow Suha filed a legal complaint in France seeking an investigation into whether he was murdered.

-- (c) Associated Press 2015-09-03

[Seastallion]

So, there was polonium, but nothing to indicate that he was murdered.

I guess the polonium just occurred naturally in Palestine and he was unfortunate. After all, other Palestinians suffer from radiation sickness. I'm not sure Arafat spent much time downwind of Dimona, though.

[Steely Dan]

I wouldn't worry, those who believe in radio controlled sharks and spy vultures don't need any facts to keep themselves busy.

[RuamRudy]

If it were the russians rather than the israelis who were accused, the west would have a field day, but no western government has the balls to stand up to the Knesset so Mossad continues to run amok with their extra judicial activities.

[SOTIRIOS]

.... found out something they would rather have not....???

[Jingthing]

Didn't he have Aids?

This must drive the Israel demonizers batty ... another thing they can't blame the Jews for ... oh wait, here comes EL NINO! More like Jewish El Nino!

[RuamRudy]

Didn't he have Aids?

This must drive the Israel demonizers batty ... another thing they can't blame the Jews for ... oh wait, here comes EL NINO! More like Jewish El Nino!

Maybe he did have AIDS, I have no knowledge of his proclivities or personal habits (and they should not be relevant here unless your aim is to smear the man), but polonium is, to my understanding, not usually found on the average person.

And nobody has mentioned Jews other than yourself - but, then again, you do like to get in early with your unfounded claims of anti-semitism.

[HenryB]

Why is the world afraid to name his killer. Just fellow who got his money

[Ulysses G.]

Most theories are that other Palestinians got him.

[RuamRudy]

Most theories are that other Palestinians got him.

The Palestinians do not possess illegal weapons of mass destruction so are unlikely to have a handy supply of highly radioactive material at their disposal.

The man did, however, have enemies not a million miles away from him, who do illegally possess WMD and are not too fussed about the rule of international law when it comes to... well, anything.

[Jingthing]

He was a terrorist. Who cares anyway?

[Srikcir]

When I hear "polonium" I think Russians.

Anyone for a spot of tea?

[Scott]

Off-topic, inflammatory troll posts and replies removed.

Stay on topic.

[Seastallion]

Most theories are that other Palestinians got him.

Eh??

If you mean most unfounded and/or propagandist theories, you may or may not be right....but some back-up to your claim would be nice.

[Ulysses G.]

Already supplied and deleted along with other off topic posts.

[Linky]

He was a terrorist. Who cares anyway?

Even terrorists deserve a hearing in court. Which court found him guilty of terrorism?

[ravip]

Most time when things start getting embarrassing, evidence evaporates.

(I guess it is the law of the purifiers)

[MiKT]

Whoever did it did a good job but far too late. Without his intransigence there might have been a Palestine state years ago.

[MiKT]

He was a terrorist. Who cares anyway?

Even terrorists deserve a hearing in court. Which court found him guilty of terrorism?

Why? if there terrorists they don’t belive in courts.

[Linky]

He was a terrorist. Who cares anyway?

Even terrorists deserve a hearing in court. Which court found him guilty of terrorism?

Why? if there terrorists they dont belive in courts.

It isnt about what a terrorist believes in, its what WE believe in, and that is the right to a trial, or do you think we should all act like terrorists.

But we are not terrorist and DO believe in the justice system. Or is it you consider it better if countries just didnt bother with the justice system and we were all given the right to practice summary executions?

Who would decide if the person was a terrorist? YOU?

[MiKT]

He was a terrorist. Who cares anyway?

Even terrorists deserve a hearing in court. Which court found him guilty of terrorism?

Why? if there terrorists they dont belive in courts.

It isnt about what a terrorist believes in, its what WE believe in, and that is the right to a trial, or do you think we should all act like terrorists.

But we are not terrorist and DO believe in the justice system. Or is it you consider it better if countries just didnt bother with the justice system and we were all given the right to practice summary executions?

Who would decide if the person was a terrorist? YOU?

If it was Arafat. I believe in democratic elections but we don't live in a society that gives us them. They were taken away by force like terrorists do. Want to start bringing those responsible to court? Same with the Arafats of this world. They don't get taken to court and keep on killing or causing others to kill while bleeding hearts agonise over their legal rights. If you become a terrorist blowing up inocent people to further your warped political ideas you should expect to forfit all legal rights.

[MiKT]

He was a terrorist. Who cares anyway?

Even terrorists deserve a hearing in court. Which court found him guilty of terrorism?

Why? if there terrorists they dont belive in courts.

It isnt about what a terrorist believes in, its what WE believe in, and that is the right to a trial, or do you think we should all act like terrorists.

But we are not terrorist and DO believe in the justice system. Or is it you consider it better if countries just didnt bother with the justice system and we were all given the right to practice summary executions?

Who would decide if the person was a terrorist? YOU?

If it was Arafat. I believe in democratic elections but we don't live in a society that gives us them. They were taken away by force like terrorists do. Want to start bringing those responsible to court? Same with the Arafats of this world. They don't get taken to court and keep on killing or causing others to kill while bleeding hearts agonise over their legal rights. If you become a terrorist blowing up inocent people to further your warped political ideas you should expect to forfit all legal rights.

I should add that once you had established without doubt their guilt as terrorists would you keep them on death row for 25 years before executing them because of "legal" challenges ? All part of the justice system, but not justice.

[h90]

He was a terrorist. Who cares anyway?

Even terrorists deserve a hearing in court. Which court found him guilty of terrorism?

Why? if there terrorists they dont belive in courts.

It isnt about what a terrorist believes in, its what WE believe in, and that is the right to a trial, or do you think we should all act like terrorists.

But we are not terrorist and DO believe in the justice system. Or is it you consider it better if countries just didnt bother with the justice system and we were all given the right to practice summary executions?

Who would decide if the person was a terrorist? YOU?

Actually a terrorist isn't a terrorist until the court tells so. Else we could just execute everyone we don't like and tell he was a terrorist.....It is the base of the complete system that the court decide that.

[hawker9000]

Didn't he have Aids?

This must drive the Israel demonizers batty ... another thing they can't blame the Jews for ... oh wait, here comes EL NINO! More like Jewish El Nino!

Maybe he did have AIDS, I have no knowledge of his proclivities or personal habits (and they should not be relevant here unless your aim is to smear the man), but polonium is, to my understanding, not usually found on the average person.

And nobody has mentioned Jews other than yourself - but, then again, you do like to get in early with your unfounded claims of anti-semitism.

Oh is that so?

"If it were the russians rather than the israelis who were accused, the west would have a field day, but no western government has the balls to stand up to the Knesset so Mossad continues to run amok with their extra judicial activities."

Look familiar? It should. YOU said it!

[MiKT]

He was a terrorist. Who cares anyway?

Even terrorists deserve a hearing in court. Which court found him guilty of terrorism?

Why? if there terrorists they dont belive in courts.

It isnt about what a terrorist believes in, its what WE believe in, and that is the right to a trial, or do you think we should all act like terrorists.

But we are not terrorist and DO believe in the justice system. Or is it you consider it better if countries just didnt bother with the justice system and we were all given the right to practice summary executions?

Who would decide if the person was a terrorist? YOU?

Actually a terrorist isn't a terrorist until the court tells so. Else we could just execute everyone we don't like and tell he was a terrorist.....It is the base of the complete system that the court decide that.

BS, a terrorist is a terrorist as soon as they start to commit acts of terror. What do you think there is, a licensing process or something? Do you think Al quiada, ISIS, et al register their brand names and take each other to court for ingringments of the terrorist code? By your standard the c...s who flew into the world trade center were not terrorists because, being dead, they were never in a court. Ditto, presumably the US are guilty of heinous crimes for shooting dead good old Bin L. Arafats mob were clearly branded as a terrorist organisation when they started hijaking planes back in the 70's.

[Linky]

He was a terrorist. Who cares anyway?

Even terrorists deserve a hearing in court. Which court found him guilty of terrorism?

Why? if there terrorists they dont belive in courts.

It isnt about what a terrorist believes in, its what WE believe in, and that is the right to a trial, or do you think we should all act like terrorists.

But we are not terrorist and DO believe in the justice system. Or is it you consider it better if countries just didnt bother with the justice system and we were all given the right to practice summary executions?

Who would decide if the person was a terrorist? YOU?

If it was Arafat. I believe in democratic elections but we don't live in a society that gives us them. They were taken away by force like terrorists do. Want to start bringing those responsible to court? Same with the Arafats of this world. They don't get taken to court and keep on killing or causing others to kill while bleeding hearts agonise over their legal rights. If you become a terrorist blowing up inocent people to further your warped political ideas you should expect to forfit all legal rights.

I should add that once you had established without doubt their guilt as terrorists would you keep them on death row for 25 years before executing them because of "legal" challenges ? All part of the justice system, but not justice.

Yes because what makes us different from the criminals is that we follow the law and the system of justice. If we dont do that we are no better than them.

BTW, there are many cases of people guilty beyond any reasonable doubt having been sentenced to death who later where found to be innocent. Its the finality of the death sentence that it is essential the guilty be given the full process afforded by the system.

Justice is not only for the victims.

[Scott]

Off-topic posts and replies removed.

[Scott]

Off-topic post has been removed. Continued inflammatory trolling will result in suspensions.

This topic is about an inquiry that will not take place into the death of Arafat.

Stay on topic.

[Steely Dan]

Most theories are that other Palestinians got him.

Eh??

If you mean most unfounded and/or propagandist theories, you may or may not be right....but some back-up to your claim would be nice.

Which brings us back round to the O.P the French prosecutors drop the case due to lack of evidence. So do we take it you are against all 'propagandist theories', or only those which accuse the Jews? Lack of evidence leaves nothing other than theories after all.

[MiKT]

He was a terrorist. Who cares anyway?

Even terrorists deserve a hearing in court. Which court found him guilty of terrorism?

Why? if there terrorists they dont belive in courts.

It isnt about what a terrorist believes in, its what WE believe in, and that is the right to a trial, or do you think we should all act like terrorists.

But we are not terrorist and DO believe in the justice system. Or is it you consider it better if countries just didnt bother with the justice system and we were all given the right to practice summary executions?

Who would decide if the person was a terrorist? YOU?

If it was Arafat. I believe in democratic elections but we don't live in a society that gives us them. They were taken away by force like terrorists do. Want to start bringing those responsible to court? Same with the Arafats of this world. They don't get taken to court and keep on killing or causing others to kill while bleeding hearts agonise over their legal rights. If you become a terrorist blowing up inocent people to further your warped political ideas you should expect to forfit all legal rights.

I should add that once you had established without doubt their guilt as terrorists would you keep them on death row for 25 years before executing them because of "legal" challenges ? All part of the justice system, but not justice.

Yes because what makes us different from the criminals is that we follow the law and the system of justice. If we dont do that we are no better than them.

BTW, there are many cases of people guilty beyond any reasonable doubt having been sentenced to death who later where found to be innocent. Its the finality of the death sentence that it is essential the guilty be given the full process afforded by the system.

Justice is not only for the victims.

In July, a French prosecutor said there was not enough reason to bring charges and asked that the case be dismissed, and in March French experts ruled out the theory that radioactive poisoning caused the Palestinian leader's death, but you don’t seem to think this was justice.

Well let’s start looking at systems of justice, Now take Arafat's) country for instance. What kind of system of justice have they got that you would be prepared to submit yourself too, let’s say, just for the sake of objective argument, "if you were Jewish", or possibly, "a Kurd" say.

I would like to take a bet that many, many thousands more people have been and still are, unjustly imprisoned, tortured or killed by the so called "Justice" systems of many countries than are unjustly imprisoned in countries with a reasonable democratic standard of justice. In this present day that is. Let alone in the past.

You can’t have it both ways; either he (posthumously) got justice or say clearly why he did not. I would happily tell you why I don’t think he actually deserved any. But I will get banned for flaming trolling or some such.