"MADA" Condemns the Arrest of the Journalist Qawariq, Demands His Release and Amend the Cybercrime Law

Ramallah (04/03/2020) - The Palestinian Center for Development and Media Freedoms (MADA) condemns the arrest of journalist Ayman Qawariq by Palestinian Preventive Security Service due to his writings on social media.

The journalist Qawariq, a resident of Awarta, in Nablus Governorate, was arrested on Monday (2/3/2020) based on the Cybercrime Law, on charges of "insulting the public authorities". Qawariq was arrested under the pretext of his writings on social media; he criticized the Communication Committee with Israeli Society for normalization with the occupation and the Oslo Accords. According to the investigation session which was held yesterday, Tuesday, in Nablus Prosecution, in the presence of the MADA’s lawyer who is in charge of his defense, the session ended with the decision of the Public Prosecutor to extend Qawariq’s detention for 48 hours to complete the investigation with him. However, MADA’s lawyer presented a defense in which he considered this charge and the trial "a violation against freedom of opinion and expression, and prejudice to journalistic work."

It should be mentioned that a force from the Preventive Security Service raided three days before his arrest, and after midnight 28/2/2020 the house of the Qawariq family to arrest him, but he was not at that time in his house. The force told his family that he should surrender after they confiscated a computer and a cellphone from his home, but Qawariq did not surrender and was arrested at noon Monday.

The Palestinian Center for Development and Media Freedoms "MADA" condemns the arrest of the journalist Qawariq and demands for his release. MADA also demandsthe stopping of various violations related to freedom of the press and expression of opinion, and the commitment of the Palestinian government to what it has repeatedly declared regarding its concern to protect media freedoms. Also, “MADA”renews its demand for the need to amend the Cybercrime law that has become a basis for committing more violations related to freedom of the press and expression of opinion.