Ramallah-11/01/2016- The Palestinian Center for Development and Media Freedoms “MADA” demands the release of Saleem Younis Swaidan- the director of Nablus local TV, member of MAAN News Network board, and the former secretary of Fateh journalistic office in Nablus, who was arrested by Palestinian Preventive Security Service in Nablus, since Friday, the 8th of January 2016, due to publishing a post on Nablus TV web site. Accordingly, MADA express its refusal to deactivate the TV’s Facebook page.
Anees Swaidan- Saleem Swaidan’s brother- reported to MADA: “Friday, 8th of January, Palestinian Preventive Security Service summoned my brother- Saleem Swaidan, and they arrested him in its headquarter in Nablus. However, yesterday, 10th of January, General Attorney office extended his arrest for 24 hours in custody pending investigation.”
Anees Swiadan also added: “ there were six charges brought out against Saleem Swiadan, which were: publishing articles harmful to Palestinian National Unity, as well as assaulting Palestinian national unity, incitement, as well as inciting sectarian conflicts, in addition to verbal abuse and contempt.
Hence, all these charges were because of publishing an article, which was taken from Wattan News Agency (facebook), on Nablus TV’s website and its Facebook page. That article mainly talked about the helping (The Israeli security service) of Palestinian Preventive Security in arresting a Hamas cell carried out operation(in Israeli settlement) about two months ago. Consequently, Palestinian Preventive Security Service deactivated TV’s Facebook page, rather than forcing Saleem to change the password of the account.”
MADA confirms its refusal to arrest Swiadan, in addition to refusing the deactivating of Nablus TV’s Facebook page. Thus, MADA believes that there was no reason to arrest Swiadan and to extend his arrest. Accordingly, MADA demands the release of Swiadan, and reactivating Nablus TV’s Facebook page.
