Son of social activist Vicki Knafo kills himself in prison

Tragedy!! Son of social activist Vicki Knafo kills himself in prison.
Last update - 10:31 16/09/2005
Son of social activist Vicki Knafo kills himself in prison
By Nir Hasson, Haaretz Correspondent

Natanel Pinian, son of social activist Vicki Knafo, committed suicide early Friday morning in his Dimona prison cell in the Negev.

Pinian, 24, was arrested Wednesday by Dimona police in Mitzpe Ramon after violating his house arrest. He had been placed under house arrest after allegedly assaulting his girlfriend.

At about 3 A.M. Friday morning, an officer noticed Pinian hanging by a sheet tied to the cell rafters. An ambulance was called to the scene but rescue workers failed to resuscitate him.

Pinian has spent long periods of time in jail because of prior drug and theft offenses.

His mother is known for leading a 2003 struggle of single mothers against budget cuts, which turned her into a major symbol of social struggle in Israel. She has spoken in interviews in the past about her trouble in dealing with her son.