Israeli court stalls trial of al-Akhras who remains on hunger strike

By Al Mayadeen English
Source: Al Mayadeen
30 Aug 2023 15:44

An officer reportedly warned al-Akhras that his fate would be like that of martyr Sheikh Khader Adnan.

Maher al-Akhras after being liberated from Israeli prisons Wednesday, December 1, 2021 (AP)

In a move that has raised concerns, the Salem Military Court, operating under the Israeli occupation, has decided to delay the trial of imprisoned PIJ leader Maher al-Akhras until the sixth of next month, citing the need for "further investigation", according to Mohjat Al-Quds organization.

This bureaucratic stalling unfolds as al-Akhras goes into the eighth consecutive day of his hunger strike, protesting against his arbitrary detention.

Mohammed al-Shaqiqi, a Mohjat Al-Quds spokesperson, affirmed that al-Akhras remains steadfast in his open-ended hunger strike.

Al-Shaqiqi added that since the moment of al-Akhras' arrest, the occupation's intentions have been clear, with one occupation officer telling al-Akhras that his fate would be like that of the martyr Khader Adnan.

Al-Shaqiqi strongly emphasized that the occupation is actively attempting to "eliminate al-Akhras".

The Palestinian Prisoners' Club noted that the occupation's prison administration transferred al-Akhras yesterday from the cells of the Jalameh detention center to the "Megiddo Compound".

This marks the second instance in which the occupation has postponed al-Akhras' trial. Originally scheduled for today, the trial was rescheduled after his detention was extended by an additional 7 days.

Yesterday, Mohjat Al-Quds Foundation, cited a letter by al-Akhras, in which he declared that he is still determined to maintain his hunger strike.

In his letter, he stated: "A Zionist officer introduced himself as the regional officer and asked me if I was taking any medications," and I told him, "I don't want medicine or food." Then the officer replied, "You will end up like Sheikh Khader, that's what we did to Sheikh Khader" (referring to martyr Sheikh Khader Adnan).