| These are the guys the other judge said should be released. Guess they won't make homecoming this year. |
The military judge ruled in favor of a request by prosecutors to hold the officials, including parliament speaker Aziz Dweik, in detention while their case is examined, the defendants’ attorney, Jawad Boulos, told AFP. Israeli army radio quoted the judge as saying “there is enough evidence that the defendants belong to a terrorist organization to justify that they remain in detention until the end of the inquiry.”
“They can’t hide behind their official duties,” the judge said.
Among those facing charges along with Dweik are religious affairs minister Nayef Rajub, Jerusalem affairs minister Khaled Abu Arafeh, local government minister Issa Al Jaabari and parliament secretary general Mahmud Ramahi.
The men are among scores of elected Hamas representatives arrested by troops in a massive West Bank sweep following the June 25 capture of Israeli soldier, Corporal Gilad Shalit in a raid claimed jointly by its armed wing.