Special to WorldTribune.com

RAMALLAH — The Palestinian Authority has escalated its campaign
against a dissident journalist.

PA has ordered police to again arrest a Palestinian broadcaster from the
West Bank city of Bethlehem. George Canawati, director of Radio Bethlehem
2000, was detained and beaten at his home in Bet Sahour on late Nov. 10.

“The arrest and assault of our colleague Canawati constitute a serious violation of media freedoms,” the Palestinian Center for Development and Media Freedoms said.

This marked the latest detention of Canawati. Palestinian sources said 10 police officers and intelligence agents attacked the broadcaster and his
mother. Canawati was later said to have been beaten during interrogation at PA police headquarters in Bethlehem.

“They dealt with him in an inappropriate manner,” Arica Zidan, a correspondent for Bethlehem 2000, said.

Canawait has angered the PA as well as officials in Bethlehem with his
reports on corruption and inefficiency. Over the last year, Canawati used
his weekly radio program to target everybody from Bethlehem Mayor Vera
Baboun, Bethelehem Gov. Abdul Fatah Hemayel to Bethlehem police commander
Col. Omar Shalabi.

In his latest arrest, the sources said Canawati was denied access to his
attorney and ordered by a court to remain in detention until at least Nov.
13. Neither the United States or the European Union, which finance PA
security forces, has responded publicly to the detention of Canawati.

“We reiterate our demand for his immediate release and respect for
freedom of expression in Palestine,” the Palestinian Center for Development
and Media Freedoms said.

  beaten by Palestinian Authority security forces, Dissident journalist detained, George Canawati, Palestinian Center for Development and Media Freedoms, Radio Bethlehem 2000