Palestinian National Authority
Hamas frees British freelance journalistPosted Mar 19 2010
British freelance filmmaker Paul Martin was released into Israel March 11 after spending an extended period of 25 days in Gaza Central Prison.
Martin was arrested Feb. 14 while waiting to testify on behalf of Mohammed Abu Muaileq, who had been accused of collaborating with Israel, according to the International Press Institute. Muaileq had been the subject of Martin’s 2008 documentary on Hamas militants in Gaza. The reasons for Martin’s arrest remain unclear, but several news organizations cite Hamas’ claims that Martin had been spying for Israel and “harming the security of the country.”
The Committee to Protect Journalists reports that Martin is the first foreign journalist to be arrested in Gaza since Hamas took charge of the region in 2007.
“Incidents like this are likely to serve as a deterrent for any journalists considering visiting Gaza for their work,” IPI Director David Dadge said, “and they are particularly damaging to the reputation of Hamas, which claims to be a legitimate governing body.”
Mahmoud Zahar, a Hamas leader in Gaza, told the The New York Times that Martin “would go through a full tribunal if he returned.”