Prominent Abbas critic dies in Palestinian custody
A Palestinian parliamentary candidate who criticised the internationally-backed Palestinian Authority died on Thursday after being arrested by PA security forces, drawing international demands for an investigation.
A relative said, Nizar Banat was beaten as he was taken away by Palestinian security forces in Hebron overnight. The PA-appointed governor of the city, located in the Israeli-occupied West Bank, said Banat had died when his health detiorated following his arrest, without elaborating on the cause.
Banat, 43, was a well known social activist who had accused the PA of corruption, including over President Mahmoud Abbas’ postponement of a long delayed election in May and a short-lived COVID-19 vaccine exchange with Israel this month.
He had planned to stand for parliament in the election, before Abaas postponed it.
A family member who witnessed Banat’s arrest, said a large security force stormed a house where Banat was staying and assaulted him. Banat was alive when he was taken away and screaming as he was beaten, said the relative, who asked not to be identified.
Hebron Governor Jibrin Al-Bakri said that Banat’s arrest was on the orders of the PA attorney-general. Officials did not immediately give a reason for the arrest.
As Banat was taken into custody, “his health condition deteriorated, and he was immediately transferred to Hebron’s governmental hospital. He was checked by doctors who pronounced him dead.” Bakri’s statement said.
The United Nations Middle East peace envoy, Tor Wennesland, said on Twitter he was alarmed and saddened by the death, and called for a transparent investigation.
“The perpetrators must be brought to justice.” Wennesland said, offering condolences to Banat’s family.
The European Union delegation to the Palestinians said it was “shocked and saddened” by the death. A “full, independent and transparent investigation should be conducted immediately,” it added.
U.N. resident and humanitarian coordinator, Lynn Hastings called the news “disturbing” and also called for those responsible to be brought to justice.
The PA exercises limited self-rule in the Israeli-occupied West Bank, home to 3.1 million Palestinians.
On Monday, Banat, who had 100,000 Facebook followers, condemned PA officials as “mercenaries” over the COVID-19 vaccine exchange deal, which the PA swiftly cancelled.
The Palestinian Independent Commission for Human Rights said it viewed Banat’s death with “great severity” and had launched an investigation.
Banat had planned to run for the Palestinian parliament on May 22. Abbas called off that election, citing Israeli controls over Palestinians in East Jerusalem. Opponents accuse Abbas of cancelling the election to avoid losing to Islamist rivals.
Olawunmi Sadiq/Reuters
