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Two Settlers Arrested for the Murder of Two Arabs

June 21, 1991
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The police arrested two Jewish settlers in the West Bank on Wednesday on suspicion of murdering two Arabs for political motives.

The prime suspect, not immediately identified, was said to be a 22-year-old man who formerly lived in Beersheba, and is currently a resident of Elon Moreh, a settlement in the Samara region near Nablus.

Police said Thursday that he confessed and re-enacted the crime.

He and an alleged accomplice from Elon Moreh, who, police said, helped to conceal evidence, will appear before a magistrate Friday in Kfar Sava to have their detention in custody extended.

One victim, Jamil Duikat, 22, from Azmut village near Nablus, was found slain in January. The other, Habiballah Radi Al-Awna, 50, lived in Beita village in the vicinity of Nablus. He was murdered in April.

Police suspect the murders were mot politically motivated, pointing out that the victims had not been robbed.

But the alleged killer has a criminal record spanning a four-year period. During that time, he served several months in Jail for shooting another resident of Elon Moreh, police said.

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