IOA extends administrative detention of Palestinian mayor for 9th time

[ 18/07/2009 - 07:25 AM ]

RAMALLAH, (PIC)-- The Israeli occupation authority (IOA) has renewed the administrative detention of Fathi Al-Hayek, the chairman of the Zeita village municipal council, for three months for the 9th consecutive time.

Ahrar center for prisoners' studies and human rights said on Friday that the Israeli intelligence renewed the detention of Hayek, 41, while his family members were waiting for his release. Hayek has been held in IOA administrative custody since 22/11/2006.

Um Mujahed, the wife of the detainee who is one of the oldest administrative detainees, said that her five children were impatiently waiting for their father's return home.

She noted that her husband had served 108 months in IOA jails at separate intervals.

Um Mujahed said that she gave birth to two of her children while her husband was in jail.

Fuad Al-Khafsh, the center's director, described administrative detention as the "cruelest" form of incarceration and the most painful to the detainee and his family where his release is left to the Israeli intelligence's "mood".

He pointed out that more than 400 Palestinians are held under administrative custody and do not know the exact date of their release.

Khafsh appealed to human rights organizations to shed light on this important issue and to form a legal committee to expose the IOA practices against those detainees.