Palestinian Freed After Long Detention
Israel’s longest-held Palestinian detainee returned home Sunday after nearly six years in prison without being charged or tried, in a case that brought new scrutiny of Israel’s detention practices.
Human rights activists hope that the new government of Prime Minister Ehud Barak will end the controversial policy of administrative detention, which allows police to hold prisoners without trial in cases they say involve security threats.
The Israeli Supreme Court approved a compromise agreement with police officials in which prisoner Osama Barham pledged not to engage in violent activities in return for his release.
“I want to start anew,” said an elated Barham, who, according to friends, wants to begin a career as a human rights activist.
Barham, 35, was arrested in 1993 for membership in the militant Islamic Jihad group.
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