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Friday, May 14, 2010     GET REAL

Palestinian Authority intelligence cracks down
on independent journalists

RAMALLAH — The Palestinian Authority has launched a crackdown on independent journalists.

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A leading Palestinian human rights group said the PA has imposed restrictions on journalists and writers in the West Bank. The Palestinian Center for Human Rights cited a crackdown by the PA's Preventive Security Apparatus, which has included the confiscation of computers and equipment from writers, Middle East Newsline reported.

"The center points with grave concern to the resumption of attacks against the right to freedom of expression and the media," PCHR said.


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In a report on April 28, the center cited two writers in the West Bank.

In March, the PA's General Intelligence Services arrested Muhanad Salahat, confiscated his computer and took him to jail in Jericho.

Salahat was said to have been questioned on a documentary he produced for A-Jazeera. GIS accused Salahat of crimes against the Palestinians and forced him to open his e-mail box.

"GIS held his laptop and camera as well as an external hard drive that contained documentary films," PCHR said. "GIS required Salahat to call all his friends and ask them to end the media campaign that they had launched against the Palestinian Authority."

Since then, Salahat, a member of the Palestinian Association for Human Rights, has been banned from leaving the West Bank. He was also summoned to GIS headquarters in Jericho for additional interrogation.

Another victim of the crackdown was identified as Walid Al Hodali, based in Ramallah. In April, Al Hodali, a 50-year-old writer, was arrested by the PA's Preventive Security Apparatus, which also confiscated his computer.

"Al Hodali was transferred to the PSA headquarters, where he was interrogated about his political affiliations for one hour," the center said.

PA officials acknowledged the arrests. They said PA intelligence services have been on alert for Hamas-directed efforts to destabilize the West Bank.



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