GAZA CITY, Palestinian Territories — The Islamist Hamas movement on Wednesday released 100 prisoners in its Gaza enclave, including members of the rival Fatah, in honour of the start of the Muslim holy month of Ramadan, authorities said.
Hamas interior minister Fathi Hammad said the 100 pardoned prisoners included Fatah members, but said they had been arrested for "committing criminal or security-related acts" and not for political reasons.
He said 20 of those freed "were security prisoners who had been implicated in cooperating with the (Israeli) occupation in a minor way."
In recent months Hamas has led a campaign against suspected collaborators in which it threatened harsh punishment, including execution, for all those who did not turn themselves in during a set amnesty period.
http://www.google.com/hostednews/afp/article/ALeqM5jP8KOXagBGKX1v-N2jQwv2av19Ww
Printer-friendly format
Email this thread to a friend
Bookmark this thread
(1000+ posts)
Send PM |
Profile |
Ignore
