Military court orders release of Bil'in protest leader

Bassem al-Tamimi freed late Tuesday evening, but trial verdict still expected in May

JERUSALEM (AP) — Activists say an Israeli military court has ordered the release of a prominent Palestinian protest leader.

The European Union and rights group Amnesty International had condemned the detention of Bassem al-Tamimi because he was charged based on evidence obtained through confessions extracted by interrogating children.

Tamimi is an organizer of weekly protests against the separation fence outside the Palestinian village of Bil’in.

Activist Jonathan Pollak said Tamimi was freed late Tuesday evening. He had been held since March 2011 on charges of inciting youths to throw rocks at Israeli soldiers and organizing demonstrations against Israeli activities in the West Bank.

Pollak, citing court papers, said Tamimi was released on bail after his mother fell ill. A verdict in his trial is expected in May.