Al Mayadeen’s al-Lahham to be freed after 9 days in Israeli detention
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Israeli authorities are expected to release Al Mayadeen’s bureau chief, Nasser al-Lahham, today after nine days of detention, with all charges against him denied.
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Al Mayadeen's Nasser al-Lahham free after 9 days in Israeli detention (Al Mayadeen English/ Illustrated by: Batoul Chamas)
Israeli police have officially informed the legal team of journalist Nasser al-Lahham, Al Mayadeen's bureau chief in occupied Palestine, 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.
Freedom attained following days of mistreatment
The Israeli military court at Ofer Prison had previously extended al-Lahham’s detention twice, with the most recent extension issued last Sunday under the pretext of "continuing the investigation," as reported by the Commission for Detainees and the Palestinian Prisoners' Club.
Palestinian Prisoners’ Club President Abdullah al-Zaghari told Al Mayadeen that the occupation was attempting to fabricate baseless accusations against al-Lahham.
During his detention, al-Lahham was held in harsh conditions in Room 19 of Section 21 at Ofer Prison, where overcrowding, poor food quality, skin diseases, and a lack of medical care were reported.
The Commission further noted that he was denied proper care, saying, "Nasser al-Lahham, a 60-year-old prisoner with heart conditions, is being held in overcrowded and unsanitary conditions at Ofer Prison. He was permitted just 10 minutes outside his cell each day." The commission emphasized that al-Lahham suffers from severe cardiac issues and has six stents in his heart, yet is being kept in life-threatening conditions.
Al Mayadeen condemns al-Lahham's detention
Al Mayadeen Media Network issued a strong-worded statement on July 7 denouncing the violent detention of its bureau chief in occupied Palestine. The network said the detention was carried out with "brutality and repression," demanding al-Lahham’s immediate release.
Al Mayadeen labeled al-Lahham's detention as part of a wider campaign of repression carried out by Israeli authorities against Palestinian journalists.
"We are not surprised by the occupation’s sadistic practices," Al Mayadeen said, "nor by its persistent hostility toward journalism, journalists, and the right to report the truth."
The statement asserted that al-Lahham is one of the most renowned names in Palestinian media, with more than 30 years of experience in journalism. His arrest drew immediate condemnation from across the Arab world, with media figures, press freedom advocates, and political movements expressing solidarity.
Read more: UN urges press freedom amid arrest of Al Mayadeen’s Nasser Al-Lahham
