MK Ghattas released from house arrest
After completing his house arrest, MK Ghattas (Joint Arab List) has been released; he will be followed by a police escort, and is not allowed to approach Israel Prison Service facilities.
However, he must be accompanied by a police escort wherever he goes. He has also been forbidden from approaching all Israeli Prison Service facilities.
The prosecution originally asked for him to be held in detention for an additional 30 days, a request denied by the judge.
The judge, Menachem Mizrahi, said that “I believe that, since the investigatory period has been completed, and since the respondent was under house arrest and didn’t violate the terms of his arrest, and has he has been prohibited from leaving the country and has had his passport confiscated, along with the fact that he is a sitting member of the Knesset and must be able to carry out his parliamentary duties, a more appropriate form of detention should be considered.”
Upon leaving the courthouse, MK Ghattas said “the judge’s decision to not accede to the request to lengthen my detention by 30 days is the right decision. I will insist on my rights to due process and immunity. I am exposing myself to the attorney general so that I may be treated with equality. It is time for us to begin fighting back.”
Ghattas defense attorney Namir Edelby said that “we are satisfied with the court’s decision which was both brave and just. We must give MK Ghattas his rights. We are happy that he will be returning to serve his constituency, and that he will continue his parliamentary work.
