Sheikh Raed Salah, the most prominent Palestinian political leader in Israel was arrested in London on 28 June at the request of the Home Secretary Theresa May. After his arrest he was taken to a police station, then a detention centre and on Friday 1st July he was moved to HMP Bedford where his lawyers have had limited access to him.
Ismail Patel, Chair of Friends of Al Aqsa said 'Sheikh Raed is being treated like a dangerous criminal despite the fact that he has not broken any laws or committed any offences. Britain's democratic image is being undermined by the arrest and detention of freedom advocate Sheikh Raed Salah.'Dr Daud Abdullah, Director of the Middle East Monitor said "Sheikh Raed's detention is farcical whilst the Home Secretary continues to allow suspected war criminals into the country without restriction. Sheikh Raed should be released immediately so he can clear his name of all allegations."Almost 10,000 signatories have signed the petition within the last week and they: Call for the immediate release of Sheikh Raed Salah Call upon the Home Secretary to drop the deportation charges Consider Sheikh Raed Salah a human rights activist Call upon Home Secretary to allow him to refute and/or challenge the accusations levelled against him in court The petition will be handed in to the Home Secretary at 2 Marsham Street, Friday 8th July 2011 at 10:30 am by:Dr Hanan Chehata - Middle East MonitorTalab el Sana - Member of the Israeli Knesset (parliament),Lindsey German - Stop the War Coalition,Manuel Hassassian - Palestinian Ambassador to the UK,Sarah Colborne - Palestine Solidarity Campaign,Deborah Maccoby - Jews for Justice for Palestinians,Shamiul Joarder - Friends of Al Aqsa and others.We would like to invite you to come and film or interview before or after handing in the petition.For more information please contact Dr. Hanan Chehata on +44 (0)20 8838 0231Middle East MonitorTelephone: +44 (0) 20 8838 0231Fax: +44 (0) 20 8838 0705Email:
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