Ofar Military court extends administrative detention remand of Qalqilia mayor for the third time

Monday June 02, 2008 08:05 by Saed Bannoura - IMEMC News

The Ofer Israeli Military Court, located near the Palestinian central West Bank city of Ramallah, extended for the third time the administrative detention remand of Qalqilia Mayor, Wajeeh Qawwas, without pressing any charges against him.

Qalqilia Mayor - Wajeeh Qawwas

Qawwas, 42, was kidnapped by the Israeli forces on May, 23, 2007. Qalqilia is located in the northern part of the West Bank.

Wisam Ighbariyya, the lawyer representing Qawwas, told the Palestine News Network that the Israeli prosecution did not press any charges against the detained mayor but demanded his continued arrest under administrative detention orders.

Ighbariyya added that he will file an appeal against this decision and will appeal to the High Court of Justice as the mayor is still imprisoned without charges.

Qalqilia municipality slammed the Israeli decision against the mayor who was elected with a very high majority as he is well known and respected by the residents.

Qawwas is suffering from a heart condition and underwent a surgery in which an artificial valve was implanted. He is currently awaiting another medical procedure due to irregularity in his heart beats.

Qawwas was supposed to be released on May 22 this year, and just a couple of hours before his release time; he was informed that he received a four-month extension of his administrative detention remand.

qalqilia | prisoners | news report saed at imemc dot org