E/CN.4/2000/9 page 129 GSS interrogators was illegal. Finally, he welcomed the submission to the Knesset in October 1999, of the draft Penal Code (Amendment - Prohibition of Torture) Law, which would reportedly make the infliction of torture, as defined in the Convention against Torture, a criminal offence. Follow-up to previously transmitted communications 657. By letter of 11 January 1999, the Government responded to a number of cases transmitted by the Special Rapporteur on 11 July 1996 (see E/CN.4/1997/7/Add.1), 11 June 1997 (see E/CN.4/1998/38/Add.1) and 3 September 1998 (see E/CN.4/1999/61). 658. Concerning Mamon Isma'il Yusaf Vousvous (see E/CN.4/1999/61, para. 373), the Government informed the Special Rapporteur that he had been convicted and sentenced to six months' imprisonment for his criminal activities with the socalled "Hamas" terrorist organization. He was re-arrested on 11 December 1997 as a result of his connection with the so-called organization and on suspicion of organizing a terrorist attack. The Government replied that owing to the seriousness of the allegations, he had been the subject of intensive interrogation, during the course of which he petitioned the Israeli High Court of Justice in relation to the conditions of his interrogation (480/98). His petition was later withdrawn. The Government further replied that he had filed a complaint with the Department of Internal Police Investigations and an investigation was carried out by authorized officials of the Ministry of Justice. Mamon Vousvous and his interrogators were questioned at this investigation, which decided that the interrogators had committed no wrongdoing. Nevertheless, the Government indicated that the investigator made a recommendation to the State Attorney that since prolonged handcuffing could cause injury, it should be avoided in the future. 659. Concerning Ali Saalem Ali Balut (ibid., para. 374), the Government replied that he had been a member of "Hamas" and had been arrested and jailed on several occasions since 1989, most recently on 26 March 1998 when he was residing illegally in Israel. After his arrest, he was interrogated on suspicion of aiding the recruitment of "Hamas" members and on suspicion of engaging in violent activities for "Hamas". The Government stated that during his interrogation he had petitioned the Israeli High Court of Justice regarding the conditions of his interrogation (3250/98), which was struck out. The Government further reported that he was currently standing trial for his offences. The Government noted that he had not made a complaint to the Department of Internal Police Investigations concerning his interrogation and, therefore, the Government stated, it was impossible for it to answer the allegations of illtreatment.The Government informed the Special Rapporteur that if a complaint was filed, it would be investigated by authorized officials of the Ministry of Justice. 660. Concerning Asam Tzaadek a-Chalim Halman (ibid., para. 375), the Government replied that he was arrested on 26 July 1997 on suspicion of having assisted wanted members of "Hamas". During his interrogation, he also submitted a petition to the Court regarding his interrogation (4699/97), but later withdrew his petition. The Government replied that he had not filed a complaint to the Department for Internal Police Investigations concerning his interrogation, therefore it was not possible to answer his allegations. The Government stated that, as for Ali Saalem Ali Balut, if a complaint was filed, it would be investigated by authorized officials of the Ministry of Justice.