Palestinian Dissident to Be Held 15 Days
A military court ordered Palestinian human rights campaigner Eyad Sarraj, jailed in the past for criticizing Palestinian leader Yasser Arafat’s administration, held for 15 days, his lawyer said Thursday.
Attorney Raji Sourani said Palestinian police now allege that Sarraj, arrested Sunday night, assaulted a police officer.
He said that earlier Thursday a civilian court had ordered the 53-year-old psychiatrist freed after suspicions of marijuana possession fizzled out, but the military court decided he should remain in prison.
In a note smuggled from prison, Sarraj said he was beaten by police officers who were trying to frame him.
On Thursday, State Department spokesman Nicholas Burns said the U.S. has raised concerns about Sarraj’s detention at “the highest levels of the Palestinian Authority.”
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