Ramallah-5/8/2014: The professor of political sciences at An Najah National University Abed Al-Sattar Qaem was attacked today in the morning 5/8/2014 by masked armed people while he was leaving his house in Nablus city as attempt to silent him, since his attitudescritical of PA's polices. He also was attacked and followed through a series of attacks which the last one happened six days ago while he was going to be interviewed by Al-Quds TV.
The professor Abed Sattar Qasem reported to MADA:"Today at 08:45 A.M. my wife was waiting me beside our house to take her to work. After I had drove my car towards my wife, I suddenly met a “KIA” car with a yellow plate, as my wife told me later about the car type later.
Then, a number of masked people carrying batons appeared, one of them opened the door of the car and aimed his revolver at me; thus, my wife screamed and our neighbors were gathered around me. At that time, I tried to escape by going back quickly. I think four bullets were fired which did not hit me, and we found two bullets on the ground which were not fired."
Mr.Qasem added:" My neighbors told me later that they had watched three cars with yellow plates( Israeli cars have yellow plates) today morning, exploring the area. When a neighbor asked them about the reason of their presence there, they answered that they were waiting on of their relatives."
Dr. Qasem accused PA for what he had exposed to and said:" There are no doubts that the attacker are members of PA, but do not know the apparatus they work for, since I was attacked by a person(who is known for him) six days ago, intercepted me at the Nablus commercial complex entrance while I was heading to conduct an interview with Al-Quds TV. This person hit me in the chest and said:" When you talk about the president, you should say the president Mr.Abbas; thus, I was not able to be interviewed."
Mr.Qasem pointed that the interested Palestinian authorities has a negligent attitude towards protecting him and against the person who attacked him six days ago although his name is known, and added:" even after media outlets were informed about that attack, but no legal procedures were taken against him and to insure my safety”
The Palestinian Center for Development and Media Freedoms (MADA) condemns the attack which professor Qasem exposed to, MADA is concerned of attempts to silent him, preventing him to express his views, and demands the official Palestinian sides to conduct a serious investigation on those two attacks and hold the responsible accountable, ensuring the protection of freedom of expression rights for all people.
