PRESS RELEASE

RELEASED @ 2:00 P.M. 4^th JUNE 1998

• The Palestinian High Court of Justice orders the release of Dr. Abdel Aziz Al-Rantisi

Responding to an appeal submitted by lawyers of the Palestinian Centre for Human Rights, the Palestinian High Court of Justice today ordered the release of Dr. Abdel Aziz Al-Rantisi, detained by Palestinian police since 9 April 1998. In another session, the Court granted a period of 16 days for the Attorney General’s office to clarify the reasons for the continued detention of Dr. Ibrahim Al-Maqadma, arrested by Palestinian Police on 10 April 1998.

In its session on 27 May 1998, the Court granted the Attorney General’s office until 4 June to present reasons for the continued arrest of Dr. Abdel Aziz Al-Rantisi. This grant was issued in response to an appeal by lawyers from the PCHR against Dr. Al-Rantisi’s illegal detention and demanded his release. In today’s session, headed by Counselor Jamil El-Ashi with the membership of Counselors Muhammad Suboh and Fayez Al-Qidra, the High Court of Justice ordered the release of Dr. Abdel Aziz Al-Rantisi.

In a second session, the High Court of Justice considered an appeal submitted by lawyers from the PCHR against the Attorney General’s office to clarify reasons for the continued detention of Dr. Ibrahim Al-Maqadma. Headed by Counselor Fayez Al-Qidra with membership of Counselors Hamdan Al-Abadla and Saada Al-Dajani, the Court granted the Attorney General’s office a final period until 20 June 1998 to provide reasons for the continued arrest.

The PCHR will continue its efforts to ensure the implementation of the Court’s decision to release Dr. Abdel Aziz Al-Rantisi and will continue working to ensure the release of Dr. Ibrahim Al-Maqadma, both of whom are held illegally by Palestinian police. The PCHR will also continue its work to ensure the release of all Palestinian prisoners held illegally.