Birzeit -- Elia Theodory, the Human Rights Action Project lawyer for Birzeit University, stated today that he has been prevented from seeing his client Fuad Awad Qur'an, a Birzeit University student from Al Bireh, since his arrest on 10 December 1997. In an extension trial at the Russian Compound in Jerusalem today, 8 January 1998, the military court extended the prevention order for a further five days until Monday 12 January 1998 on the request of the interogators, as well as extending Qur'an's interrogation period for a further 8 days until 15 January 1998. Since his arrest, Qur'an has been prevented from meeting with his lawyer.
On 7 January 1998, the Israeli High Court of Justice reviewed the issue of torture during Fuad's interrogation, in an unprecedented session with nine judges presiding. At press time, a decision had still not been taken by the court as to whether or not the methods used in the interrogation of Qur'an constitute torture. The Human Rights Action Project of Birzeit University is gravely concerned for Qur'an's safety as he has not been able to see his lawyer since his detention.
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Human Rights Action Project homepage - http://www.birzeit.edu/hrap/