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Grassroots International Protection for the Palestinian People condemns kidnapping of three colleagues
Press Release
18 September 2002
At approximately 19:00 on Monday, 16 September 2002, three Italian colleagues of Grassroots International Protection for the Palestinian People were kidnapped by a group of armed persons in Khan Yunis. The kidnappers, which identity is known, took the three Italians to a house in Khan Yunis and held them until 02:00 on the following day. They were released after some national figures, human rights organisations and Palestinian security services intervened.
According to our Italian colleagues, they were not hurt while they were held, and their kidnappers told them that the kidnapping was an attempt to pressure a Palestinian security service to ensure their return to their jobs in the service as they had been dismissed.
While we express our comfort that this crisis was immediately resolved and contained, and highly appreciate all popular and official efforts made to ensure the safety and release of our Italian colleagues, we assert the following:
We highly appreciate the role of members of Grassroots International Protection for the Palestinian People throughout the world, including our Italian colleagues.
We express our full support for this campaign which seeks to support our people and their legitimate struggle against the Israeli occupation.
We condemn the crime of abduction which was not based on any political considerations; rather it had personal and individualistic dimensions.
We call upon the Palestinian National Authority and the Palestinian Attorney General to take necessary legal steps against this apostate group which dared to commit this crime, which is against our social and cultural values.
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For further information or comments contact the coordinator of Grassroots International Protection for the Palestinian People in the Gaza Strip:
Raji Sourani
Tel: 08-2824776