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Arab-Israeli actor Juliano Mer-Khamis
Photo: EPA

Suspects arrested in Mer-Khamis murder probe

Twenty-four hours after murder of Arab-Israeli actor, Palestinian security forces making every effort to find killer. Hamas member among detainee

A day after Arab-Israeli actor Juliano Mer-Khamis was shot to death in Jenin, Palestinian security forces continue their search for those responsible for the murder. In the past 24 hours, several Palestinians have been arrested, including a Hamas member. However, the investigation is more focused on the intelligence front.

 

A Palestinian police spokesman told Ynet that a number of Palestinian suspects are currently being interrogated. He noted they do not have a main suspect.


Murder scene (Photo: AFP) 

 

A Palestinian security source added that several suspects had already been arrested Monday over their possible involvement in the murder, including one man who was defined as a main suspect. He was later released after it was discovered he had no connection to the incident.

 

On Monday, Palestinian Prime Minister Salam Fayyad called the murder a "heinous crime" and ordered security services to catch the criminals and make the investigation their top priority.

 

It appears the PA's security forces want to close the investigation as soon as possible, in order to make sure that Jenin's economy isn't hit. Jenin's economy continues to proper thanks to the fact that Israeli Arabs are allowed entry into the area.

 

Zacharia Zbeidi, Former commander of the Al-Aqsa Brigades in Jenin and director of the Freedom Theater which was founded by Mer-Khamis, told Ynet that he believes that "a large organization or even a country" is behind the murder. According to Zbeidi, a guiding hand sent the murderer who assassinated Mer-Khamis.

 

Fifth column?

Zbeidi added that he would do everything within his power to help the Palestinian police in their efforts to catch the killer and estimated that he was a resident of the Jenin refugee camp.

 

On Tuesday morning, teachers, actors and foreign volunteers gathered at the Freedom Theater for a memorial ceremony in Mer-Khamis' honor.

 

UN envoy to the Middle East Robert Serry also commented on the murder and said that he was shocked and saddened by the act. He noted that Mer-Khamis was a special and talented actor and director, a symbol for peace and co-existence.

 

Mer-Khamis, 52, was shot by a number of masked men who fired at him while he was sitting in his car near the theater he established, afterwards fleeing the scene, witnesses say.

 

Since founding the Freedom Theater he has been under constant threat. In 2009 posters naming him the 'fifth column' and calling for his hands and feet to be cut off were spread throughout the Jenin refugee camp.

 

 


פרסום ראשון: 04.05.11, 19:09
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