The Palestinian Authority arrested a prominent activist and held him overnight after he criticized its policies in a series of online posts and accused it of arresting another individual for political reasons.
The PA, which has limited autonomy in parts of the Israeli-controlled West Bank, has come under intense criticism by Palestinians in recent weeks after canceling its first elections in 15 years and being largely sidelined during last month’s 11-day Gaza war.
Issa Amro, an outspoken critic of both Israel and the PA who has been arrested by both in the past, says he was summoned for questioning by the PA’s cybercrime unit last night.
He says he was asked about a Facebook post in which he protested the arrest of a man linked to a political rival of Palestinian Authority President Mahmoud Abbas. In the post, he said the PA should instead arrest “corrupt” people within its own ranks.
Amro tells The Associated Press he was arrested shortly thereafter and confined overnight in a “very, very dirty place which is not suitable for humans.” He appeared before prosecutors today before being released and told to return tomorrow, when he could be charged.
Palestinian officials decline to comment on the case.
Palestinian activist Issa Amro arrives for a hearing at the Ofer military court on July 9, 2017, in the town of Beitunia, near the West Bank city of Ramallah. (AFP Photo/Abbas Momani)
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