Eng. Ihab Al-Ghusain, a spokesman for Ministry of Interior, has denied reports which said that the security services in the Gaza Strip arrested four journalists, stressing that the four names that mentioned in some mass media that they are journalists is untrue and invalid.
Al-Ghusain said in a statement that the four detainees are: Salah Abu Salah, Mahmoud Abu Reyala, Hani Al-Agha and Ziad Awad are not journalists, and they were arrested on criminal offenses against the law, not related to journalism. The investigation is ongoing with the four detainees and will be referred to the judiciary.
Furthermore, Al-Ghusain confirmed that there are no political prisoners in the Gaza Strip. He also explained that following the signing of a reconciliation agreement last May, Fatah movement handed the government over a list including 34 detainees. Accordingly, The Interior Ministry responded that all names are being detained on security and criminal grounds and their files are ready .
Also, Al-Ghusain pointed out that the problem is Fatah movement considers that any person arrested after the division regardless all violations committed by them as a political prisoner, which is contrary to what was agreed upon, whereas, the political prisoner, who was arrested because of his political affiliation.
Al-Ghusain said that the committee of political detention did not start its work, expected to begin its work during the next few days, and any results will be issued by this committee will be binding on the government in Gaza.
