PRESS RELEASE
Gaza Magistrate Court Refuses to Release on Bail
Two Leaders of the Islamic Movement
Ref: 82/99
Date: 26th August 1999
In its session this morning, 26 August 1999, the Gaza Magistrates Court refused to release on bail Dr. Abdul Aziz Rantisi and Ahmed Nemr Hamdan. Both men, who are prominent figures of the Islamic Movement, were detained by Palestinian police on 8 August 1999. They have been accused of “disseminating false information in an attempt to terrorize the public”.
Previously, Dr Rantisi was arrested by Palestinian police on 9 April 1998. Upon internvention by lawyers from PCHR, the Palestinian High Court of Justice ordered his immediate release on 4 June 1998. However, the Palestinian police refused to implement the Court decision. More than a year later, on 19 July 1999, he was released, after the death of his mother.
After his release he gave statements to the Al Quds press agency, in which he was quoted saying that he had been told by the General Secretary of the President’s Office that he was arrested as a result of pressure from Israel. He also said that the Palestinian Authority had no power to release him without prior approval from the CIA. Dr Rantisi commented that these were the fruits of the ‘security co-operation’.
As a result of these statements he was arrested again by the Palestinian Authority on 8 August 1999.
For More Information Contact:
Palestinian Centre for Human Rights
Tel/Fax: (+) 972 7 2824776/2825893
E-mail: [email protected], Web page: www.pchrgaza.org
Trial Version
