Further hearings in the case of detained Palestinian lawyer and human rights defender Anas Barghouti have been postponed until October 9, following a hearing on October 1. To date, the allegations revealed against Barghouti by Israeli occupation officials relate to his political work, and reflect the criminalization of Palestinian political activity: he is charged with membership in an illegal organization and leading a committee to organize a demonstration.
Barghouti is charged with membership in the Popular Front for the Liberation of Palestine. It should be noted that membership in every major Palestinian political party, including the Fateh party of the Palestinian Authority leadership, is criminalized and a pretext for imprisonment by the Israeli occupation. He is additionally accused of organizing a rally in honor of Abu Ali Mustafa, Palestinian leader assassinated by Israeli military forces in his Ramallah office on September 27, 2001.
Amnesty International has issued an alert proclaiming Anas Barghouti as a prisoner of conscience and calling for his immediate release.
It should be further noted that the attack on Barghouti, a former lawyer with Addameer Prisoner Support and Human Rights Association, comes alongside the extension of a travel ban against Addameer director Abdel Latif Ghaith, the imprisonment of Addameer legal worker Ayman Nasser, and the arrest of Addameer accountant Samer Arbid, as part of comprehensive attacks against Palestinian organizations defending prisoners.
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