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Press Release
Palestinian High Court of Justice orders release of seven political prisoners
Ref: 78/2001
Date: 1 December 2001
This morning, the Palestinian High Court of Justice in Gaza ordered the release of seven political prisoners held by the Palestinian National Authority. This decision came in response to a demand submitted to the court by PCHR lawyers to release the men, who are: Yasser Mohammed Khweiter and Mohammed Kamal Tafesh, detained since 20 October 2001; Samir Suleiman Dader, Hatem Ismail El-Derhalli and Shadi Mahmoud Ahmed, detained since 22 October 2001; Ishaq ‘Abdullah El-Derimalli, detained since 23 October 2001; and Ibrahim Mohammed Saqer, detained since 27 October 2001. This decision was taken due to the lack of any legal basis for their continued detention, thus violating the legal procedures provided for in the Law of Penal Measures (3) of 2001.
On 29 November, the prosecution told the court that there was no interrogation or any relevant measures, and that the prisoners were held in custody in accordance with a decision by the National Security Council. Consequently, the court ordered the release of those prisoners in response to a demand by PCHR, which considered the detention illegal.
On 24 November, the High Court of Justice had decided the release of 9 other political prisoners detained in Gaza Central Prison. Only one of those prisoners was released after he suffered from a brain clot, according to medical sources at Shifa’ Hospital, where he was treated. His room at the hospital was guarded by police for two days. He was released from detention on 27 November.
PCHR welcomes the decision taken by the High Court and Justice and hopes it will be respected and implemented through the immediate release of political prisoners, as the non-implementation of court decisions is a violation of the Penal Law (74) of 1936.
On Sunday, 2 December, the High Court of Justice is due to consider demands for the release of other political prisoners.