free saadat

[أبو يقين]

We are a coalition of human rights advocates, non-governmental organizations, and individuals concerned about the continued detention of Ahmad Saadat and his four comrades presently detained at the Shikma (Ashkelon) prison in Israel.
Ahmad Saadat has been imprisoned since 2002 by the Palestinian Authority (PA) in accordance with an agreement between the PA, Israel , and the US for his alleged role in the assassination of Israeli Tourism Minister Rehavam Zeevi. Despite a ruling by the Palestinian Supreme Court that deemed his detention unlawful and despite the fact that he was not charged or tried, the PA continued to hold him under Israeli and US pressures.

On March 14 2006, Israel invaded the prison in violation of the signed agreement with tacit American and British support. By invading the prison Israel also violated the autonomy of the PA to administer its own detention facilities as stipulated by the Oslo Accords. These Israeli actions have drawn the condemnation of many, most notably Amnesty International. While Israel claims Ahmad Saadat was kidnapped for his involvement in the Zeevi assassination he has not been charged with anything relating to this incident. He is in prison simply for resisting Israeli occupation.

This campaign supports the right of the Palestinian people to resist occupation. We view the arrest of Saadat and his comrades as an attempt by Israel to criminalize this right which is enshrined in international law. We therefore demand freedom for Ahmad Saadat and his comrades, and all Palestinian prisoners who are fighting for freedom and self-determination.