Calls for Hamas to release detained satirical journalist
Calls for Hamas to release detained satirical journalist
Palestinian human rights groups called upon Hamas on Tuesday to release a satirical journalist and an activist detained by the group in the Gaza Strip.
2 min read
Ayman al-Aloul was detained by Hamas security forces [facebook]
Journalists and a rights group called on Hamas Tuesday to release a reporter detained by the movement in Gaza.
Security services in the Hamas-run Palestinian enclave arrested 44-year-old Ayman al-Aloul, who works with the local Arab Now news agency, on Sunday night from his house in Gaza City.
They also confiscated his private computer, according to a statement from the Palestinian Centre for Human Rights.
Aloul was detained in custody for 48 hours pending a decision by the prosecutor, a security source said.
Friends of Aloul say they expect his release on Wednesday.
It was unclear on what grounds he had been detained but Ibrahim Abu Shaar, head of the Arab Now office in Gaza, said the arrest was due to Aloul's "expressions and opinions".
Ramzy Harzallah, a 27-year-old social media activist was also being held after being detained on Sunday night.
The Palestinian Centre for Human Rights demanded the attorney general intervene and called on security services in Gaza to "respect freedom of opinion and expression".
Palestianians used the arabic language hashtag "free Ayman Aloul" to urge Hamas authorities to release him.
Aloul is well known in Gaza for his humorous news reports laced with sarcasm and satire to draw attention to the conditions in the Gaza Strip.
During the last Gaza War he was credited for creating the "rubble bucket challenge" in response the the "ice bucket challenge," the global phenomenon which saw social media users pouring cold water over themselves.
Al-Aloul said that there was not enough water in Gaza to do this, so he used rubble from bombed houses instead.
Hamas often summons journalists and activists for questioning, although they are usually released within 48 hours.
Agencies contributed to this report.
Security services in the Hamas-run Palestinian enclave arrested 44-year-old Ayman al-Aloul, who works with the local Arab Now news agency, on Sunday night from his house in Gaza City.
They also confiscated his private computer, according to a statement from the Palestinian Centre for Human Rights.
Aloul was detained in custody for 48 hours pending a decision by the prosecutor, a security source said.
Friends of Aloul say they expect his release on Wednesday.
It was unclear on what grounds he had been detained but Ibrahim Abu Shaar, head of the Arab Now office in Gaza, said the arrest was due to Aloul's "expressions and opinions".
Ramzy Harzallah, a 27-year-old social media activist was also being held after being detained on Sunday night.
The Palestinian Centre for Human Rights demanded the attorney general intervene and called on security services in Gaza to "respect freedom of opinion and expression".
Palestianians used the arabic language hashtag "free Ayman Aloul" to urge Hamas authorities to release him.
Aloul is well known in Gaza for his humorous news reports laced with sarcasm and satire to draw attention to the conditions in the Gaza Strip.
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| A demonstration for al-Aloul's release in Gaza [facebook] |
Al-Aloul said that there was not enough water in Gaza to do this, so he used rubble from bombed houses instead.
Hamas often summons journalists and activists for questioning, although they are usually released within 48 hours.
Agencies contributed to this report.
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