Israel Must Free Marwan Barghouti

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Marwan Barghouti, Palestinian Leader for Fatah

Marwan Barghouti, Palestinian Leader for Fatah

September 5, 2002, began the trial of elected member of the Palestinian parliament Marwan Barghouti by an Israeli civilian court in Tel Aviv. The event followed the abduction of the Palestinian leader by Israeli occupation forces on April 15, 2002, in the al-Bireh district of Ramallah. As a political leader and Secretary-General for Fatah in the West Bank, the Israeli administration wished to hold Marwan Barghouti responsible for terrorist attacks carried out inside Israel by the al-Aqsa Martyrs’ Brigades, in spite of his repeated calls in the past for an end to such attacks.

Deeming the court to have no legal legitimacy (Barghouti’s abduction and subsequent transfer to occupier territory were in contravention of the Oslo Accords and 4th Geneva Convention), Barghouti refused to provide a defense to the charges brought against him. On May 20, 2004, Marwan Barghouti was convicted of five counts of murder and one count of attempted murder.

On June 6, 2004, he was sentenced to five life sentences and an additional 40 years in prison.

ABDUCTION

Barghouti was apprehended in Ramallah, which falls under Palestinian legal jurisdiction. Legal experts view Israel’s apprehension of Barghouti as an act of hostage-taking, or abduction, both illegal under international law. Furthermore, Barghouti is an elected member of the Palestinian Legislative Council (parliament), and is therefore entitled to parliamentary immunity, which Israel
infringed upon.

TRANSFER TO TERRITORY OF THE OCCUPYING STATE

On May 26, 2002, the Israeli authorities transferred Barghouti to the Petah Tikva Detention Center in Israel proper. This is in contravention of the Fourth Geneva Convention, which proscribes the transfer of people under occupation to the territory of the occupier.

TORTURE

Barghouti was moved to the Israeli detention center, where he was subjected (from the Israeli General Security service – GSS) to physical and psychological abuse.

WHEN FREED, THIS NATURAL LEADER CAN BRING FATAH & HAMAS TOGETHER!

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