Israel: Journalist released after 49 days without charge

27th September 2011

Journalist Samer Allawi released after 49 days without charge from Israeli prison

UFree has called for the prosecution of Israeli officials for illegally holding Al Jazeera journalist Samer Allawi for seven weeks without charge.

Mohammed Hamdan, the chair of the European wide network for Prisoners rights said:

'The release of the Palestinian journalist Allawi, held for 49 days in arbitrary detention - simply because the Israeli security services failed to find any evidence to prove the so-called charges they laid against him when they first arrested him – shows that it was a clear political arrest'.

He added ' International law does not allow the detention of any person without reason – a mere suspicion of the Israelis is not good enough'.

Hamdan requested international legal and human rights organisations to follow up the detention of a journalist held without charge, and the clear violations of freedom of expression and right of free movement – especially when Israel claims to be a democratic state.

Allawi's detention was extended numerous times despite deteriorating health conditions, as conducted by independent doctors within prisons.

UFree launched a mass campaign of solidarity for Allawi demanding his immediate release. The network issued a number of press releases; launched a petition and Facebook page; contacted media, human right organisations and politicians across Europe to pressure Israel for his release.

UFree is an independent European-wide human rights network; set up to defend the rights of Palestinian prisoners and detainees. For more information visit www.ufree-p.net.

ENDS

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