Al Mayadeen's Nasser al-Lahham held in life-threatening conditions
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Palestinian journalist Nasser al-Lahham faces harsh conditions and medical neglect in the infamous Israeli Ofer Prison as calls mount for his release.
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Al Mayadeen's bureau chief in occupied Palestine, Nasser al-Lahham (Designed by: Zeinab al-Hajj/ Al Mayadeen English)
Palestinian journalist and chief of Al Mayadeen's Palestine bureau is being denied proper care and is being held in life-threatening conditions in Ofer Prison, the Palestinian Commission for Detainees and ex-Detainees said in a statement published on Sunday.
"Nasser al-Lahham, a 60-year-old prisoner with heart conditions, is being held in overcrowded and unsanitary conditions at Ofer Prison. He is permitted just 10 minutes outside his cell each day," the statement said. 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.
The statement detailed that al-Lahham is currently detained in Section 21, Cell 19 of Ofer Prison, where prisoners endure severely overcrowded conditions, inadequate food, and outbreaks of skin infections, all while being denied proper medical attention.
'Israel' launches bid to keep al-Lahham detained
This comes after "Israel" announced it will extend the detention of Al Mayadeen chief Nasser al-Lahham until next Tuesday, following his arbitrary detention on July 7.
"The occupation is attempting to fabricate new charges against our colleague Nasser al-Lahham," Shawan Jabarin, Director of Al-Haq, told Al Mayadeen, adding that "it appears the occupation is pushing for al-Lahham’s administrative detention, an arbitrary measure meant to silence dissent."
Jabarin informed Al Mayadeen that Israeli authorities are attempting to manufacture a list of charges against Nasser Lahham, and his administrative detention resembles "fighting with the wind."
Al Mayadeen condemns al-Lahham's detention
Al Mayadeen Media Network issued a strong-worded statement on Monday 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."
Al Mayadeen's 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.
"For us, Nasser is more than a bureau chief. He is a leading voice in Palestinian journalism, a symbol of purposeful reporting, and a steadfast defender of his people’s rights," Al Mayadeen's statement asserted.
In late October 2023, Israeli forces raided al-Lahham’s home, assaulting his wife and children, conducting an intrusive search, and detaining his two sons, Basil and Basel.
