Region | Palestinian Territories
Palestinian intelligence accused of Hamas preacher's death
The family of a Hamas preacher who died in the custody of the Palestinian intelligence service on Saturday alleged that he had been tortured.
- Agencies
- Published: 12:49 February 23, 2008
Ramallah: The family of a Hamas preacher who died in the custody of the Palestinian intelligence service, on Saturday alleged that he had been tortured.
Majed Barghouti died at an intelligence lockup in the West Bank city of Ramallah on Friday, a week after his arrest.
Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas ordered an investigation of the death, which came among repeated complaints by Hamas detainees that they were being mistreated by Abbas' forces.
In a statement published in Palestinian newspapers, the intelligence service said Barghouti had complained of chest and abdominal pain and was examined by a hospital doctor two days before his death.
Barghouti was among hundreds of Hamas activists to be detained by Abbas' security forces in the West Bank following the violent Hamas takeover of Gaza in June.
Intelligence officials were not available Saturday to comment on the torture allegations.
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