Responding to a petition to Israel's Supreme Court, the Shin Bet intelligence agency on Monday insisted its interrogation practices are humane.

The Public Committee Against Torture had petitioned the court to stop handcuffing Palestinian detainees during interrogation, considering the practice a form of torture.

According to the Shin Bet, however, Palestinian prisoners are handcuffed during investigation to avoid attacks on interrogators and to avoid escape attempts, the Hebrew-language daily Ma'ariv reported.

The newspaper reported that detainees are typically tied to a chair for long hours with their hands cuffed behind them during interrogations. However, Maariv added, the Shin Bet has amended its cuffing method by lengthening the chains to 48 centimeters.

Meanwhile, the Tel Aviv District Court ruled Monday that medical inspectors would review the confinement conditions of Damian Kerlik, an Israeli suspected of murdering six members of the same family, according to Yedioth Ahronoth, another Israeli newspaper. Officials will consider removing his hand and ankle cuffs, the report said.

Source: Maan