Ahmed Saadat in court
Photo: Reuters
State Prosecution: Saadat a threat to society
State refuses to remove terror group leader from confinement, claiming he will give orders from cell
Ahmed Saadat, leader of the Popular Front for the Liberation of Palestine, is fighting for the improvement of his prison conditions, but the State Prosecutor's Office says it is opposed to his request to be removed from confinement.
Saadat, who reports say may be included in a prisoner-swap for kidnapped soldier Gilad Shalit, filed an appeal to be placed in regular lockdown two weeks ago.
Dispelling Rumors
Deputy prime minister tells BBC in London that the two terrorists will not be included in a possible list of Palestinian prisoners to be released in exchange for captive soldier Gilad Shalit, despite earlier reports
On Tuesday the prosecution filed its response with the court, stating that Saadat was dangerous and that he would attempt to give orders to terrorists from within the jail if security around him was slackened.
The prosecution also claimed that Saadat had already committed such an offense from his jail cell in Jericho prior to his arrest by Israel.
Saadat is serving a 30-year sentence in joint confinement with Hassan Salameh, one of the leaders of Hamas' military wing in Gaza, for the murder of Minister Rehavam Ze'evi.
The prosecution claims Saadat's appeal should not even be considered because it is not justified by general claims unrelated to his specific situation. It also claims that Saadat is a dangerous criminal that should be kept under maximum security.
"Saadat's seniority in a terror organization significantly increases the threat he poses (to society), and this matter should be given much thought," the prosecution's response says. It adds that defense and intelligence officials would testify behind closed doors regarding the level of this threat.
