Ramallah – 18 August 2011: Security services of the Hamas government in Gaza this morning summoned WAFA news agency correspondent Fathi Tbeil, after reporting on solidarity sit –in with the Palestinian refugees of Alrimal camp in Syria which was shelled by Syrian forces.

Tbeil went on Monday 15 August 2011 to the courtyard of Aljundi Almajhoul in Gaza to cover the sit-in, where security services soon dispersed the peaceful protest and arrested a number of participants. Tbeil said that after covering the event a security service member approached him in a vehicle and arrested him along with a group of demonstrators, and took them to the Alabas center for investigation. Tbeil was interrogated about his reason for covering the event and accused of entering a prohibited area and reporting on a prohibited event. Tbeil assured investigators that his presence at the scene was purely for work purposes and that he was unaware the event was illegal. Tbeil was held in security service custody until 3 pm the following day.

Tbeil added: “Today I was summoned for investigation at 8 am and when I went there they didn’t interrogate me about the event but instead asked me about my sources and about some of the contacts in my mobile phone.  I was released about 11.15 am".

The Palestinian Center for Development and Media Freedoms (MADA) strongly condemns the arrest and summons of journalist Fathi Tbeil and considers it a flagrant violation of article 19 of Palestinian Basic Law.

MADA also wishes to express its disappointment and concern over General Attorney Ahmad Almghany’s 16 August 2011 decision to suspend the broadcasting of the programme “WATAN 3 WATAR" on Palestine Public TV. This decision constitutes a violation of freedom of expression as guaranteed under Palestinian Basic Law and the Press and Publication law.

This decision came after a complaint was received from the President of the Anti-Corruption Commission Rafik Natsheh, the head of doctor’s syndicate Jawad Awad and General Director of the police Hazem Attalah, who claimed that previous episodes of the program were degrading to the performance of the security services, judicial system and medical profession.

MADA demands an immediate repeal of this decision, which forms a dangerous precedent in cases affecting various forms of expression in Palestinian society.