Military Court in Ramallah Sentences Palestinian to Death by Firing Squad

[oberliner]

PCHR Calls Upon President not to Ratify Sentence and Demands the Abolishment of Death Penalty from Palestinian Law

On Wednesday, 09 December 2009, the Military Court in Ramllah sentenced private 'Izziddin Rassem Daghra, 41, from Kufor 'Ein village north of Ramallah, to death by firing squad, after convicting him of collaboration with the enemy.

The Court, which was comprised of Lieutenant Colonel Ahmed Abu Dayah as chief judge, Lieutenant Colonel Khaled al-Qerna and Captain Khaled Hammouda as member judges, and Captain Nasser Ghanem, the Military Attorney-General, convicted Daghra of collaboration with the enemy. The court based it ruling on Article 131(a) of the Palestinian Military Penal Law of 1979. The sentence can be appealed in 15 days, and cannot be implemented without the ratification of Palestinian President Mahmoud 'Abbas, in his capacity as High Commander of the Military Forces.

The number of death sentences issued by Palestinian courts during 2009 now stands at 17 sentences, including 3 sentences issued in the West Bank and 14 in the Gaza Strip.

http://www.pchrgaza.org/files/PressR/English/2009/124-2009.html