IOF invade Jericho prison and arrest PFLP leader Kill 3 Palestinians, injure 35 and arrest more than 200.

Israeli Occupation Forces (IOF) invaded Jericho at approximately 9,30am on March 14th 2006, besieged Jericho Central prison, and kidnapped Ahmad Saadat, leader of the Popular Front for the Liberation of Palestine (PFLP), four other PFLP members, Major General Foad Al Shobaki and approximately 200 Palestinians; IOF used excessive lethal force, killing three and injuring some 35 others.
Based on information from Al Mezan, the IOF invasion occurred just minutes after the departure of US and UK monitors.
On January 15th 2001, the PNA arrested and imprisoned Ahmad Saadat and four other PFLP members, constituting a breach of Palestinian law; it was followed by a Palestinian Supreme Court decision on June 3rd, 2002 annulling the detention.
The arrests of Ahmad Sadaat and the four others took place after a Palestinian- Israeli agreement supervised by the US government; under this agreement, detainees were deported from Ramallah to Jericho’s PNA prison with UK and US supervision.
The Israeli invasion on Jericho prison has provoked a severe escalation of frustration and condemnation in the OPT.
thus, Al Mezan condemns the attacks on the British Cultural Counsel, the American School, Amideast, and the kidnapping of 9 foreigners and Palestinians who were released later on.
Arresting Ahmad Saadat by the IOF constitutes a breach of the international Law and the agreement signed with the PNA notably after the Palestinian Supreme Court announced the illegality of their detention.
Therefore, Al Mezan Center for Human Rights is gravely concerned about Ahmad Sadaat and the PELP members and calls upon the international Community to immediately intervene to secure the release of Ahmad Sadaat and provide protection to civilians in the OPT.
END