December 9, 1996

ISRAELI SECRET POLICE EXTEND INCOMMUNICADO DETENTION; "LAW" SUBMITS SECOND PETITION TO ISRAELI HIGH COURT

Today, the Palestinian Society for the Protection of Human Rights - "LAW" submitted another petition to the Israeli High Court demanding to see Muhanned Abu Rumi, now three weeks under Israeli interrogation in the Russian Compound in Jerusalem. LAW argued that the prolonged incommunicado detention further heightened their suspicions that Abu Rumi is being tortured.

Last Thursday, the High Court's rejected LAW's prior petition for Abu Rumi, relying on secret evidence submitted by the Israeli authorities. Following the High Court's decision, the Israeli secret police extended Abu Rumi's incommunicado detention for four additional days.

Under Israeli law, the secret police must allow an Israeli detainee to see his lawyer after 15 days. However for a Palestinian detainee, the Israeli secret police can keep him in incommunicado detention for 30 days. LAW argued that the different standards for incommunicado detention based solely on nationality were discriminatory and contrary to all standards of justice and fairness.

Abu Rumi turned 22 years old yesterday.

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LAW-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. LAW is also an affiliate member of the Paris-based International Federation for Human Rights.