Ref: 52/2009

Date: 20 April 2009

Time: 10: 30 GMT

PCHR Condemns Attack on PLC Member Sheikh al-Beetawi

The Palestinian Centre for Human Rights (PCHR) condemns the attack on Sheikh Hamed Khader al-Beetawi, 64. Sheikh al-Beetawi is a member of the Palestinian Legislative Council (PLC) representing the Change and Reform Bloc of the Hamas Movement in Nablus. PCHR demands that the Palestinian government in Ramallah open an investigation into the attack in order that the perpetrators be brought to justice. The finding of this investigation must be publicly disclosed.

PCHR’s investigations, which included an interview with Sheikh al-Beetawi, indicate that, at approximately 14:00 on 19 April 2009, after having performed Noon Prayers at al-Anbeya’a Mosque in Faysal Street in Nablus, Sheikh al-Beetawi left the Mosque heading to the eastern vegetables market. He was stopped in Marmash Square by someone who began to talk to him. As he was detained, a white car containing three individuals stopped nearby. One of the men stepped down from the car, and began to insult Allah and Hamas. He threatened Sheikh al-Beetawi and warned him not to appear in public locations, otherwise he would kill him. Some locals, including Naser, 32, the Sheikh’s, crowded around Sheikh al-Beetawi and the other men. Naser approached the individual, asking him about the justification for insulting his father. The individual then pulled out a pistol and pointed it at Sheikh al-Beetawi. Before he could shoot, Naser took the hand of the man and directed it downwards; a single bullet was fired into the ground. As a result, Sheikh al-Beetawi sustained shrapnel injury to his right foot. Sheikh al-Beetawi was immediately transferred to Rafidia Hospital in Nablus City for treatment. It was later discovered that the assailant was Ne’man ‘Amer from Kafr Kalil Village in the southeast of Nablus, and that he is a member of the Preventive Security Service.

Following this crime, Palestinian police spokesman, Brigadier ‘Adnan al-Dhamiri, announced: “the incident of PLC member Hemed al-Beetawi is a private affair of a single individual. The security services are not involved”. Al-Dhamiri said that the police arrested the suspect, who will be brought to justice. He added that the incident was not politically motivated.

In view of the above, PCHR demands the government in Ramallah to:

1.      Open an investigations into the crime and bring those who are involved to justice;

2.      Issue strict instructions prohibiting law enforcement officials from carrying arms outside of their official duties.

3.      Prevent the use of arms, either owned by private persons or by official bodies, which pose a threat civilians and cause harm to their lives and safety. Everyone who breaches these instructions must be brought to justice.