Israel announced Thursday it would prosecute Fatah leader, Marwan Barghouti in connection with deadly attacks against Israeli civilians. The trial would be the first involving a senior Palestinian figure in years.
Israeli Justice Ministry spokesman Yaakov Galanti said Israel planned to try Barghouti together with four other Palestinians in civilian court because of their connection "to several attacks in Israel."
Barghouti’s lawyer, Jawad Boulos, rejected the Israeli decision and said his defense team would not appear in any court. "We have said we do not recognize his detention and so we will not deal with any court, civilian or military," Boulos said.
"I see no significance in turning him over to a civilian court. Israel is saying the move will allow an open and public trial with better legal conditions. This could be done in military courts, too," he commented. "It's a weak pretext, and an admission by Israel that its military [detention] system is not fair."
On Wednesday, Barghouti’s counsel said an international team that includes a lawyer for former South African president Nelson Mandela would defend the Palestinian leader. The lawyers, including South African Abdullah Omar who has served Mandela, will help defend Barghouti, his attorney Khader Shkeirat said. (Albawaba.com)
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