The Israeli High Court of Justice rejected a petition filed by Marwan Barghouthi's attorney, Jawad Bulus, in which he demanded the cancellation of a Shin Bet security service ban on him meeting with his client.
Last week, the High Court proposed a compromise, whereby Bulus would meet Barghouthi under Shin Bet supervision, Haaretz daily reported.
While the Shin Bet approved the proposal, Bulus refused, saying he was not willing to meet his client under those conditions. This refusal was one of the considerations in the court's ruling on Bulus' petition.
Barghouthi has been under arrest since April 15. He met with his attorney three days after being arrested, but a Shin Bet directive, issued on the grounds that another meeting could “harm state security” and hinder the progress of the investigation, has since prevented them meeting.
The court has backed the ban on several occasions, and in the meantime, there were rumors that Barghouthi was taken ill and hospitalized. Bulus petitioned the courts, saying that he was afraid for Barghouthi's health and was worried that the Shin Bet was trying to break his spirit by forbidding outside contact. (Albawaba.com)
© 2002 Al Bawaba (www.albawaba.com)
