שיירה בדרך לכלא הצבאי

Convicted IDF soldier Elor Azariya will enter prison on Wednesday after a year and a half of legal battles.

In a show of support, dozens of Israelis accompanied Azariya from his Ramle home to the military prison in nearby Tzrifin.

Azariya was ordered to appear at 10:00a.m. at Prison Four, for an 18-month sentence. His family will accompany him to the entrance, where a team comprised of various workers, including a doctor, will receive him.

The platoon commander will meet Azariya at the entrance and explain the rules of prison.

Azariya's family will visit him once a week, beginning ten days after he enters prison. He will be able to take a vacation after successfully completing a third of his sentence. He will also be able to request special vacations for holidays. These requests will be considered and decided upon by the prison commander.

Elor Azariya was convicted of manslaughter in January for shooting a wounded terrorist suspected of having an explosive vest.

Ten days ago, the military appeals court rejected Azariya's appeal and convicted him again of manslaughter. Azariya then requested to delay the start of his sentence, but prosecutors demanded the request not be honored until IDF Chief of Staff decided whether or not to shorten Azariya's sentence, and so it was.

On Tuesday, on his last night at home, Azariya participated in a birthday celebration for his mother.

Elor Azariya and his father Charlie
Elor Azariya and his father CharliePhoto by Roy Alima/Flash90
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