URGENT COMMUNIQUE
DR. IYAD SARRAJ WAS RELEASED
AT 02.00 HOURS (23.00 HOURS GMT 25TH JUNE) ON 26TH JUNE 1996
Published @ 06:30 hours GMT/26th June 1996
Dr. Iyad Sarraj was released from detention at 02.00 hours (23.00 hours GMT) this morning.
Dr. Iyad Sarraj had been in detention since midnight, 9th June 1996 when he was arrested at his home. On 13th June a Magistrates’ Court in Gaza City released Dr. Iyad Sarraj on bail, in relation to allegations of possession of drugs. An hour previously, without prior notification or legal representation, the State Security Court ordered the detention of Dr. Sarraj for 15 days on a new allegation of assaulting a police officer. It is on this basis that Dr. Sarraj was being detained.
The Palestinian High Court, is still scheduled for 1st July to give full consideration to a petition which was filed by Dr. Sarraj’s lawyer, Raji Sourani on 13th July. The petition asks the High Court to consider the lawfulness of: Dr. Sarraj’s arrest and continued detention; the procedures adopted, including the denial of legal access for Dr. Sarraj; and whether the State Security Court has jurisdiction over a matter of ordinary criminal law.
