Elite Israeli military unit arrested Monday West Bank Fatah-Tanzim leader, Marwan Barghouthi, in Ramallah, reported Israel's Army Radio.
Raanan Gissin, spokesman for Israel's Prime Minister Ariel Sharon, confirmed Barghouti's arrest in Ramallah, together with a cousin and aide, Ahmed Barghouti.
"Marwan Barghouthi turned the Tanzim organization, which is part of Fatah and Arafat's offspring, into the most murderous terrorist group over the recent period," Israeli Defense Minister Binyamin Ben-Eliezer said in a statement.
Sharon said that Israel would put Barghouthi on trial. "Like in every democratic country, he will be tried in Israel and put in prison," Sharon told Fox News.
Barghouti was detained at the house of a member of Arafat's Fatah group in Ramallah, said Jibril Rajoub, the Palestinian West Bank security chief. He warned against harming Barghouti. Arafat aide, Ahmed Abdul Rahman, told Reuters: "Any harm to Barghouthi will lead to grave consequences."
Israel has been on a manhunt for Barghouthi since the start of its current military operations in the Palestinian territories two-and-a-half weeks ago. Israel has already tried to capture him in a Palestinian security installation in the West Bank town of Beitounia.
In recent days, the Israeli army carried out intense search efforts for Barghouti.
Israel holds Barghouthi responsible for direct involvement in numerous attacks on Israeli targets, including issuing orders and providing funds to members of the Tanzim military wing. He has denied the allegations but has maintained that Palestinians have the right to resist Israeli occupation of the West Bank and Gaza Strip
Bargouthi, 42, is an eloquent speaker and a charismatic figure, and is often mentioned as a possible successor to Palestinian leader, Yasser Arafat. The man is considered the de facto leader of the Palestinian Intifada, although he is more opted to mass participation in protests and rallies against 35 years of Israeli occupation.
Despite the fact that Bargouthi has been described as a key figure in Palestinian attacks against Israeli targets, Israel has refrained from arresting him because of his huge popularity, his close relations with Arafat and his influence on the decision-making process.
Barghouti was arrested by Israel at age 18 for membership in an armed Fatah squad, served six years in prison and was deported in 1987. In 1994, he was among the first exiles to return home, following an interim peace deal with Israel.
According to a report published recently by The Washington Post, Israel is looking into the possibility of arresting several senior figures in the Palestinian security service in addition to Bargouthi. Among those being eyed are Tawfiq Tirawi, head of intelligence in the western West Bank, and Rashid Abu-Shbak, second-in-command of the preventative security in Gaza. (Albawaba.com)
© 2002 Al Bawaba (www.albawaba.com)
