Human Rights Activist Mohammad Othman held in Israeli Prison Special

Mohammad Othman, a Palestinian human rights activist, was detained and is being held on administrative detention by Israeli military forces.

On September 22, 2009, Mohammad Othman was detained at the Allenby Bridge crossing between Jordan and the West Bank. Mohammad was returning to Ramallah from a trip to Norway where he met with senior government officials and participated in an advocacy speaking tour when he was detained. He was first taken to Huwara Prison, and later transferred to Kishon Detention Center near Haifa in Nothern Israel. At Kishon, he was placed in solitary confinement and interrogated about his friends and family and his human rights work. On September 29, 2009, Othman appeared before the military court. No reason was given for his arrest, however Israeli interrogation police requested a 23 day detainment order. The order was denied, based on the fact that there were no charges against Othman at this time, but the military judge did agree to a 10 day detainment based on 'secret' information provided by the Israeli Security Agency (ISA). The 10 day detainment would allow for ISA officials to interrogate Othman further. When his defense attorney questioned the 'secret' information leading to the 10 day detainment, his questions were ignored. Collegues believe that Othman's work in the boycott against Israel is what led to his arrest. A few weeks ago it was announced that Norway's national Pension Fund was divesting in Elbit Systems because of its involvement in helping to build the security fence separating the settlement blocs from Palestinian Authority controlled areas and supplying the Israel Defense Forces with military technology. The Foreign Ministry summoned Norway's ambassador to Israel for consultations after the announcement. To learn more about Mohammad Othman, visit Anti-Apartheid Wall Campaign.