On Saturday, 16 August 2008, unknown
gunmen kidnapped Mazen Zhaher Hussein, 35, a Palestinian who had
been deported from the Nativity Church to the Gaza Strip in 2002, in
Gaza City. Hussein was taken to an unknown destination and severely
beat.
According to investigations conducted by
PCHR, at approximately 21:30 on the aforementioned day, Hussein was
in a shop of mobile devices in al-Remal neighborhood in Gaza city
when a grey jeep stopped near the shop. Three masked gunmen in black
clothes stepped down and forcibly led Hussein to the jeep. Hussein
stated to PCHR that he was taken to an unknown destination where he
was beaten by guns butts, an iron pipe and stones for about 20
minutes. Shortly later, Hussein was left near the Cars Market in the
east of Gaza City where one of the locals saw him and called the
ambulance. The ambulance arrived 45 minutes later and transported
Hussein to Shifa Hospital in Gaza City. Hussein sustained fractures
to his right arm and leg, injuries to his head and bruises to his
legs and back.
PCHR is concerned over such incidents
which are part of the state of the security chaos and assaults on
the rule of law prevailing in the Occupied Palestinian Territory.
PCHR reiterates its call upon the Palestinian National Authority,
represented by the Attorney General’s office, to seriously
investigate this crime and bring its perpetrators to justice.
