Mr Ayman Nasser

On 1 November 2012, the detention of human rights defender Mr Ayman Nasser was extended by eight days by an Israeli military court based on “secret evidence”.

This was the third extension of his detention, and follows his arrest at his home on 15 October 2012. He is being held in Moskobiyyeh detention centre in Jerusalem. Ayman Nasser is a researcher with Addameer Prisoner Support and Human Rights Association. He represents Addameer on the High Committee for Palestinian Political Prisoners, which includes several human rights organisations and government representative who advocate on behalf of Palestinian political prisoners. He is also a part-time social work lecturer at Al Quds Open University.

Whilst in detention, he has been interrogated at length, ranging from a couple of hours to 10 hours at a time. He was questioned about his activities with Addameer as well as his involvement in the Handala centre, a community centre in Saffa, of which he is chairperson. There are concerns that these lengthy interrogations are subjecting Ayman Nasser to substantial pain as he suffers from severe back problems and an inflammation of his colon. He has been blindfolded and placed in shackles during the interrogations. It is also reported that he has been receiving from the prison authorities only two out of five of his required medications.

Since his arrest on 15 October 2012, Ayman Nasser has been brought before the military court in the Moskobiyyeh detention centre on three different occasions, on 18 October, 24 October and 1 November. Each time the prosecution requested an extension of the detention to allow more time for the investigation, and his detention was extended based on secret evidence. Thus far, he has not been formally charged.

The Israeli forces raided Ayman Nasser's home in the village of Saffa at 1.00 on the morning of 15 October 2012. During the raid, they held his wife at gunpoint and they confiscated his computer and mobile phone.

Front Line Defenders is concerned about the arrest of Ayman Nasser and the extension of his detention based on evidence which has not been disclosed to his lawyers. We are also concerned for his physical health given that only part of his required medications have been provided to him while in detention.

Other members of Addameer have been targeted in recent times. Addameer's founder, Abdullatif Ghaith was subjected to a travel ban in August 2012. For further information, please see our previous appeal on Abdullatif Ghaith.