Palestinian parliament speaker gets 6 months in jail
Military Court sentences Aziz Dweik to administrative detention. Speaker's bureau: Arrest part of Israel's attempt to undermine Palestinian reconciliation efforts, political life
The Military Court in Ofer Prison on Tuesday sentenced Palestinian parliament speaker, Hamas member Aziz Dweik , to six months of administrative detention.
The IDF Spokesperson's office stated that Dweik was arrested by security forces last week on suspicion of involvement in terrorist activity.
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Dweik's attorney Fadi Qawasmi, who was present during the court session, said the sentence was handed down without any charges being filed against his client.
Dweik was arrested last Thursday at the Jaba checkpoint, located between Ramallah and Jerusalem. Palestinian sources stated that when Dwiek arrived at the checkpoint, IDF soldiers handcuffed and blindfolded him. He was then taken in for interrogation by the Shin Bet.
The parliament speaker's bureau denounced the sentence, claiming Dweik's arrest was part of Israel's attempt to destabilize the Palestinian political life, after the parliament set a date for its next meeting in February.
Officials at the bureau further also claimed that the arrest meant to undermine inter-Palestinian reconciliation efforts between Hamas and Fatah.
In 2008, Dweik was convicted of membership in the Hamas terror organization. The Military Court sentenced him to three years in prison, two years probation and handed him a NIS 5,000 ($1,300) fine.
Yoav Zitun contributed to this report
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