Ramallah – 30th Nov. 2022 The Palestinian Center for Development and Media Freedoms “MADA” calls for the release of the journalist of Al-Qastal News Network, AYMAN FAISAL QAWAREK (36 years old), who has been detained for two days by the Palestinian Intelligence Service in the city of Nablus, and his detention was extended yesterday, Tuesday, by the Public Prosecution for a period of 48 hours on the charge of “weapon possession” which the journalist denied.
The Palestinian Intelligence Service had arrested "QAWAREK" at dawn last Monday, corresponding to 28th Nov. 2022, after raiding his house in the town of "Awarta" in the district of Nablus. His father, "FAISAL QAWAREQ" told MADA that "a person knocked on the door of the family’s house at around 2:30AM on Monday and identified himself as being from the police force, and when the force entered the house, it turned out that it was a joint force from the various security services”.
“The officers showed a search warrant and asked about "AYMAN" who lives in the house adjacent to the family’s house. After searching the house, they went to the journalist’s house and searched him without confiscating anything. They arrested him and left after about an hour”.
The journalist is currently with the Palestinian Intelligence Service in the city of Nablus. The day after his arrest, he was brought before the Public Prosecution, which interrogated and charged him with “weapon possession.” His detention was extended for 48 hours. It was also found that the journalist was subjected to great psychological pressure and inappropriate treatment. MADA's lawyer, MR. FIRAS KARAJEH, is following up on this case in a timely manner, and it is likely that it will be presented to Nablus Prosecution Office on Thursday, corresponding to 1st of December, to complete the investigation procedures.
It is noteworthy that journalist AYMAN was previously arrested more than once due to his journalistic work and publications on social media, the last of which was in 2020. He was released on 5th March 2020 after the Public Prosecution denied a request to extend his detention, and the decision of His Excellency Judge "MAHMOUD AL-KARAM" to release him.
MADA demands the release of the journalist QAWAREQ immediately without any restrictions or conditions. It also demands to stop pursuing all journalists as it considers such practices a prejudice to the freedom of the press and expression.
