Israeli Central Court rejects appeal to release Ahmad Manasra
Another appeal by Palestinian prisoner Ahmad Manasra was once again rejected, reflecting "Israel's" insistence on its arbitrariness.
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Ahmad Manasra
Al Mayadeen correspondent reported Thursday that the Israeli occupation Central Court rejected the appeal of prisoner Ahmad Manasra for his release.
Activists on social media circulated a video in which Manasra appears before the court, saying that he misses his family the most.
#AlMayadeen correspondent reported that the Israeli occupation Central Court rejected the appeal of prisoner #AhmadManasra for his release. Activists on social media circulated this video in which Manasra appears before the court, saying that he misses his family the most. pic.twitter.com/9bAbI2VLQC
— Al Mayadeen English (@MayadeenEnglish) September 1, 2022
Last month, the Israeli occupation court in Beer Al Sabe extended the solitary confinement of Manasra for another six months, despite his difficult physical and mental health condition.
In the same month, the Israeli occupation authorities transferred Manasra from "Eshel" prison in Beer Al Sabe to the solitary confinement section in "Hashikma" prison.
Lawyer Khaled Zabarqa said the Israeli occupation transferred Manasra to the solitary confinement section in "Hashikma" prison, amid demands for his immediate release due to his deteriorating health condition inside the prison, both physically and mentally.
Al Mayadeen's correspondent had reported that an Israeli occupation parole committee has classified the case of the Palestinian prisoner as "terrorism".
Israeli courts have been stalling for months now the release of #AhmadManasra from solitary confinement. pic.twitter.com/056iLUCMUl
— Al Mayadeen English (@MayadeenEnglish) July 20, 2022
Manasra was only 13 years old when the Israeli occupation arrested him under false accusations. He has been in solitary confinement since early November 2021.
He has been diagnosed with schizophrenia, suffers from psychotic delusions, and is severely depressed with suicidal thoughts.
Amnesty demands immediate release of Ahmad Manasra
On August 4, Amnesty International’s Regional Director for the MENA region, Heba Morayef, called for the immediate release of Manasra.
"It is outrageous that the Israeli authorities have renewed Ahmad Manasra’s spell in solitary confinement. Continuing to detain Ahmad Manasra in such inhumane conditions is a callous act of injustice. Ahmad has been diagnosed with schizophrenia and is severely depressed," she said.
This is #AhmadManasra after 7 years in Israeli occupation jails.
— Al Mayadeen English (@MayadeenEnglish) April 13, 2022
He was 13 years old when he was unlawfully arrested and denied his most basic rights. Today, Ahmad's reappearance serves as a stark reminder that "Israel" not only steals lands, but also #Palestinians' childhood. pic.twitter.com/qWUaB2L0qR
"Ahmad Manasra was just 13 years old when he was arrested. The decision to detain him should always have been a measure of last resort and for the shortest possible time," Morayef said.
The Director warned that Manasra has turned into a shadow of his former self and has threatened to take his own life. "The Israeli authorities must immediately revoke their decision to renew his solitary confinement, and urgently release him from detention," she stressed.
Who is Ahmad Manasra?
Born on January 22, 2002, in occupied Al-Quds, Ahmad Manasra is one of a family of ten.
With the beginning of the popular uprising in 2015, arrests against children in occupied Al-Quds escalated and were accompanied by systematic abuse and torture.
On October 12, 2015, Ahmad and his cousin Hassan - who was martyred on that day - were subjected to brutal abuse by Israeli occupation forces and settlers.
This day marked a turning point in Ahmad's life. As a result of his arrest, interrogation, and physical and psychological torture, even while receiving treatment in the hospital, he suffered from a fractured skull and serious health conditions.
Today is the re-trial of Ahmad Manasra.
— Marwa Fatafta مروة فطافطة (@marwasf) April 13, 2022
Ahmad was only 13 when he was imprisoned and tortured by the Israeli authorities.
He’s been languishing in prison for 7 years now under deteriorating mental conditions #FreeAhmadManasra pic.twitter.com/iD7welh9Ms
After several sessions, the Israeli occupation court issued a verdict of 12 years in prison against Ahmad and compensation of 180,000 shekels. The sentence was reduced to nine and a half years in 2017.
Before his transfer to prison, the Israeli occupation authorities held Ahmad for two years in a special institution for juveniles in difficult and harsh conditions and later transferred him to "Megiddo" Prison when he was 14 years old.
