Israel
The Hamas government’s internal security services Posted Apr 2 2008
The Hamas government’s internal security services detained a Palestinian newspaper bureau chief. Munir Abu Rizq, Gaza bureau chief for the daily Al-Hayat al-Jadida was arrested Jan. 15, according to the Committee to Protect Journalists.
Local journalists told CPJ that Abu Rizq was accused of deliberately publishing fabricated news against Hamas. CPJ reports that Al-Hayat al-Jadida was warned months ago to change its editorial lines toward Hamas.
“We are troubled that a journalist has been held without charge by Hamas authorities and fear he is being punished for working at Al-Hayat al-Jadida,” CPJ Executive Director Joel Simon said. “We call on authorities to charge Munir Abu Rizq with a recognizable offense or release him at once.”
According to CPJ, Abu Rizq is the second person affiliated with Al-Hayat al-Jadida to be arrested by Hamas.