DIRECTOR OF HUMAN RIGHTS ORGANIZATION ARRESTED IN GAZA

CHARGED WITH PUBLISHING INCORRECT INFORMATION AND PROVOCATION

13 August 1996

Gaza -- On 11 August at 11:00 at night, Mohammad Dahman, director of Adameer Human rights Center (an organization which specializes in legal advocacy for political prisoners) was arrested at his home by the Mukhabarat, or Palestinian Intelligence.

Today, 13 August, Mr. Dahman was brought before a judge, and charged with publishing incorrect and provocative information against the Palestinian Authority. He was sentenced to an additional 48 hours in Soria Prison in Gaza, beginning today.

His midnight arrest and subsequent trial comes directly after the release of a statement dealing with the mysterious death of Nahed Dahlan. Mr. Dahlan had been asked by the Mukhabarat to come in for questioning five days in a row, and was killed under unknown circumstances on the fifth day of interrogation. Mr. Dahlan, a 24 year old man from Azaweideh, was found dead in hospital on 7 August 1996. Until now, no autopsy has been performed to determine the cause of death.

Mohammad Dahman's "crime" was in holding the Mukhabarat responsible for Nahed's death. Still no autopsy has been performed.

LAWE condemns the arrest of Mohammad Dahman and defends his freedom of expression. LAWE in addition calls for an immediate investigation into the death of Nahed Dahman, and for an autopsy to be performed on his body.

LAWE - The Palestinian Society for the Protection of Human Rights and the Environment is a non-governmental organization, dedicated to preserving human rights through legal advocacy. LAWE is also an affiliate member of the Paris-based International Federation for Human Rights.