Al-Lahham's arrest reflects Israeli war on press freedom: Al Mayadeen
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Al Mayadeen condemns the ongoing detention of bureau chief Nasser Al-Lahham, calling it a targeted attack on press freedom and a failed attempt to silence a powerful voice defending the Palestinian cause.
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Al Mayadeen's Palestine Bureau Chief, Nasser al-Lahham. (Al Mayadeen English/Illustrated by: Batoul Chamas)
Al Mayadeen Media Network issued a strongly worded statement condemning the continued detention of its Palestine Bureau Chief, Nasser al-Lahham, by Israeli authorities, accusing the occupation of acting with direct hostility and a targeted campaign against the network and its journalists.
The statement, released on Tuesday, described the detention as "an attempt to silence a powerful voice," describing al-Lahham as "more than a journalist, more than a writer, and more than an intellectual."
"The occupation no longer treats Al Mayadeen as a television channel, but rather as a strategic, liberation-oriented, international platform," the statement read, adding that "It sees in Al Mayadeen a voice for the oppressed and a champion of the Palestinian cause, and this is what it hates with hysterical malice."
Al Mayadeen emphasized that al-Lahham’s arrest reflects the occupation’s failure to suppress his influence, noting that all accusations leveled against him are unfounded and stem from an inability to confront his work.
"This is not merely solidarity; we are defending Nasser’s right to live and to breathe," the network declared, adding: "We speak not just as his media family, but on behalf of the Palestinian, Arab, Islamic, and global journalistic communities."
The network reiterated its commitment to continue advocating for al-Lahham’s release, stressing that his case has become a symbol of the broader struggle for press freedom under occupation.
"Freedom for Nasser al-Lahham is not a slogan," the statement said, adding that "It is a call to action, a path of resistance, and a mission for truthful, free, and human journalism."
'Al-Lahham is victorious'
In its statement, Al Mayadeen concluded that al-Lahham is "victorious, not broken; free, not imprisoned, unlike the oppressor."
Additionally, the network mentioned that Nasser al-Lahham will be liberated and will emerge triumphant, proud, and steadfast, "a towering Palestinian and Arab media icon."
"Dignity belongs to principled, human, international journalism, not to opportunistic, inconsistent media that falters under pressure. Our open coverage continues in defense of Nasser, of every journalist in captivity, and every journalist standing firm under fire in Gaza," the statement further read.
Al Mayadeen concluded its statement with a renewed vow for justice, affirming that "We at Al Mayadeen will not retreat from carrying the banner of justice, demanding Nasser’s release, and ending the cruelty of his detention."
Al-Lahham to be freed after 9 days in Israeli detention
Al-Lahham was detained by occupation forces and held under harsh conditions in Ofer Prison. His lawyer announced earlier today that his legal team was informed of his release following nine days of detention.
Defense attorney Osama al-Saadi confirmed the decision, stating, “The Israeli police notified us of their decision to release Nasser al-Lahham and canceled the court session that had been scheduled for today.”
Al-Saadi emphasized that al-Lahham categorically denied all charges leveled against him, asserting that all his writings and public positions were transparent and well known.
