UFree Network

17 February 2014

UFree Network expresses its profound condemnation over the Palestinian-Ukrainian detainee Dirar Abu Sisi's continued solitary confinement since being kidnapped in Ukraine by Israeli Mossad in February 2011.

On the third anniversary of kidnapping Dirar Abu Sisi from Ukraine in flagrant breach to International law and basic human rights, UFree Network renews its total support to Abu Sisi's issue in particular and Palestinian political detainees' cause as a whole.

Over the past three years, UFree Network has publicised Abu Sisi’s plight and have campaigned on his behalf in European mainstream and international forums. It revealed details of the kidnapping process of Abu Sisi according to testimonies issued by Abu Sisi's family, the legal team and former Palestinian political prisoners who met Abu Sisi or spoke to him behind prison cells, in addition to Palestinian, Israeli and Ukrainian reports.

UFree Network also launched a petition(http://www.ipetitions.com/petition/supportdirarabusisi/) and gathered nearly two thousand signatures calling for the release of Abu Sisi and holding Israel responsible for the crime committed against him.

44-year-old Dirar Abu Sisi is a Palestinian who was residing with his Ukrainian wife Veronica Abu Sisi in Ukraine until he was kidnapped and sent to the occupying state of Israel on the 18th of February 2011. Since his kidnapping, he has remained incarcerated in Israeli prisons under extremely poor conditions; he is now suffering from debilitating health conditions and psychological trauma. He has endured torture, humiliation and inhumane treatment from Israeli prison authorities. Israeli occupation authorities are also preventing his Ukrainian wife and children from visiting or speaking to him.

An Israeli court in Beer Sheba issued a decision in January 2012 renewing Abu Sisi's isolation for six months and preventing him from mingling with other prisoners. UFree described the decision as a desperate attempt to cover up for the kidnap crime that was carried out on European territory.

Abu Sisi was engaged in a hunger strike on the 18th August 2013 that lasted for 13 consecutive days protesting his solitary confinement and lack of health care. His strike was suspended following an agreement with the Israeli Prison Service to transfer him to Beersheba prison along with three other detainees.
Dirar's health deteriorated dramatically over the past three years as he has problems with his blood pressure as well as kidney and Asthma. He also suffers from Heart stroke from time to time. Dirar also suffers from 'slipped disc' and eye cornea problems, in addition to psychological problems due to the constant interrogation and torture practiced against him.

In recognition of the gross violation of human rights and international law, UFree calls on EU parliament including and its political leadership to the following:

• The EU must investigate this conspiracy and demand transparency from the Ukrainian government on the matter.

• It must take measures to protect its own Palestinian citizens (residing in Europe) from abduction and incarceration by Israeli authorities.

• Pressure Israel to immediately release Dirar Abu Sisi and compensate him and his family.

• Ensure that Israel fully respects Human Rights charters and International agreements.

• Reveal the identity of all those who were part of this conspiracy and violations of national sovereignty.

© Scoop Media