Palestinian Authority security forces continue to detain freed prisoner and political activist Alaa al-Araj, whose detention has now been extended for another 15 days.
Key Developments
- PA security forces have held Alaa al-Araj for 32 consecutive days after being summoned for interrogation in Nablus on August 9.
- A court extended his detention for another 15 days despite repeated defense requests for his release on bail.
- Lawyers for Justice said his continued detention raises concerns over due process, judicial independence and restrictions on Palestinian civil and political activity.
Palestinian Authority security forces have continued to detain freed Palestinian prisoner and political activist Alaa al-Araj for a second month, amid growing calls for his release and criticism over political detentions in the occupied West Bank.
Al-Araj, from the Tulkarm district, has been detained for 32 consecutive days since he was summoned for interrogation by the PA General Intelligence Service in Nablus on August 9, according to Quds News Network.
His detention was extended on Wednesday for an additional 15 days.
Muhannad Karaja, director of Lawyers for Justice, described al-Araj as a “human rights defender, freed prisoner, and political and social activist.”
Karaja said al-Araj remained in custody as part of an investigation concerning the activities of Hadatha Training Company.
He described the targeting of the company as an “illegal restriction on civil and social work.”
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Bail Requests Rejected
According to Karaja, the defense sees no justification for continuing to hold al-Araj in custody.
He said the court had repeatedly rejected requests to release him on bail despite his status as a well-known public figure and the possibility of guaranteeing his appearance before the court.
Al-Araj had also undertaken a hunger strike during his detention but has since suspended it, according to his lawyer’s latest meeting with him in court.
His detention nevertheless continued, with authorities extending his remand.
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Son Born during Detention
Al-Araj’s continued imprisonment has coincided with the birth of his son, Omar.
Karaja said al-Araj’s wife faced health risks during childbirth and criticized the court for failing to take those humanitarian circumstances into consideration when examining the request for his release.
The lawyer argued that continuing to detain al-Araj was inconsistent with legal standards and international human rights agreements to which Palestine is a party, including conventions concerning torture.
He called for al-Araj’s urgent release and stressed the need to safeguard judicial independence and prevent security agencies from interfering in the proceedings.
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Political Detentions under Scrutiny
Al-Araj’s case comes amid continuing criticism of political detentions carried out by PA security forces in the occupied West Bank.
Palestinian rights groups have repeatedly raised concerns over the detention of political activists, freed prisoners, university students and members of Palestinian factions.
Such cases have also renewed questions over due-process guarantees, the right to liberty and the extent of the authority exercised by PA security agencies in cases that should be subject to judicial procedures.
(PC, QNN)
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