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Jerusalem, November 23, 1999
Released by
the High Court 6 months ago, but still in prison
Exactly 6 months ago, on 23 March 1999, the Palestinian High
Court decided to release the Palestinian prisoner Khaled
Abdel-Karim Attallah Wahbeh.
But Khaled is still being held at the Military Intelligence
Detention Center in the Gaza Central prison. He was arrested
in May 1995 by the Military Intelligence. He was released,
but then arrested again in November 1995.
Khaled is 24 years old. He studied English at Birzeit
University, but gave up his plans for a teaching career to
join the Palestinian Police in May 1994. He served in the
Palestinian police for one year.
For these four years, Khaled has been held imprisoned
without any charges brought against him or being presented
to court. Colonel Mousa Arafat, the head of the Military
Intelligence told the PHRMG that Khaled was arrested for
security offences, without explaining what was put in this
accusation.
The PHRMG appealed, on behalf of the family, to the High
Court for Khaled’s release.
The relief of Khaled and his family was immense when the
High Court decided to release him on March 23 this year, on
the grounds that his detention was unlawful. Khaled
testified to being severely tortured in prison. He was
hospitalized twice during his detention. Two of his chest
bones were broken, his hearing is affected, and he had to
undergo surgery twice in his right leg because of the
torture.
The reason for still detaining Khaled in Gaza Central prison
after the decision of the High Court to release him is
unknown. Khaled is, however, not alone. Another 53 detainees
have been released by the High Court in 1999, but are still
being held in prison.
The Palestinian Human Rights Monitoring Group (PHRMG)
strongly protests against the practice of not respecting the
Palestinian High Court decisions. These 54 cases show that
the respect for the rule of law in the Palestinian Authority
is non-existent.
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