Israeli army arrests AFP freelancer in West Bank
By the AFREEQUE newsroom, based on Le Monde
The Israeli army arrested Mohammad Ateeq, an AFP freelance video journalist for three years, at his home in Burqin, near Jenin, in the West Bank. It suspects him of links to Hamas without providing evidence, while his wife describes a brutal raid, according to AFP.
Mohammad Ateeq, a freelancer for the Agence France-Presse (AFP) and video journalist in the West Bank for three years, was arrested during a night-time Israeli army raid on his home in Burqin, close to Jenin, in the north of the West Bank. The arrest was announced on Sunday by the Israeli forces and by the journalist’s wife.
An army spokesperson confirmed the arrest and said the journalist is 'suspected of links to Hamas', without presenting evidence. Aged 34, Mohammad Ateeq was handcuffed and then taken away blindfolded, according to his wife, Ansam Ateeq, who is expecting a first child in about a month.
According to Ms Ateeq, more than ten soldiers searched the home after smashing the door. They confiscated her husband’s two phones and threw the AFP camera onto the balcony.
In a statement, AFP expressed its deep concern about the situation of its contributor and called on the Israeli authorities to explain the reasons for his detention, present evidence or, failing that, release him immediately. In August, the Israeli army had already arrested another Palestinian journalist working with AFP, Mohammed Awad, near Ramallah.
