'Shiekh Salah to be released on house arrest'

Leader of Islamic Movement's northern branch, arrested in Britain over two weeks ago, to be released from custody after posting bail, aides say. MK El-Sana: decision shattered Zionist lobby in Britain

Hassan Shaalan|Published: 07.15.11 , 19:45

Sources close to Sheikh Raad Salah, leader of the Islamic Movement's Northern Branch in Israel, said that the London High Court of Justice decided Friday afternoon to release him to house arrest.

According to the sources, Sheikh Salah will be released from custody on Monday, after posting bail.

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One of Salah's attorneys told Ynet, "The court will discuss the appeal we issued against his deportation and determine whether to deport him or not. Salah will prove to the court that he legally entered Britain."

MK Talab El-Sana (United Arab List-Ta'al) slammed Israel following the court's ruling, saying "this decision shattered the entire Zionist lobby in Britain and foiled the plan of those who seek his arrest."

Sheikh Kamal Khatib, the deputy head of the Islamic Movement's northern branch also criticized Israel, calling the court's decision "a great success for the Islamic Movement.

"We must stop Israel's actions against us. They do not scare us," he added.

Dozens of Salah's supporters protested outside the Supreme Court in London, calling on authorities to release the leader on bail. One of the protesters told al-Jazeera network: "We are appalled by the way a Palestinian leader has been treated. There is no reason for the court to hold him in custody."

Sheikh Salah was arrested over two weeks ago upon entering Britain. He was forbidden entry to the country by Interior Minister Theresa May and was scheduled to be deported, after allegedly changing one letter in his name in order to be allowed in. The leader of the Islamic Movement's northern branch refused to leave the country and filed an appeal to the British Supreme Court of Justice.