British journalist Paul Martin is surrounded by journalists as he arrives at the Erez crossing terminal, between the Gaza Strip and Israel after his release by the Islamist Hamas movement. Gaza, Palestinian Territory. 11/03/2010.
Hamas released the British reporter held in its Gaza enclave, the only foreigner to be arrested in the territory since the Islamist group seized power in June 2007. The journalist and filmmaker Paul Martin was handed over to a delegation from the British consulate and driven in an armoured vehicle to the Erez crossing with Israel. Martin was arrested on February 14 in a Gaza courtroom while testifying for a friend accused of "collaborating with Israel." His lawyer, Sharhabil al-Zaim, has said he was being held on an unspecified "security charge."
Martin was arrested when he voluntarily appeared at a court in Gaza City to testify on behalf of a Palestinian activist on trial for collaboration with Israel. Taher al-Noono, a spokesman for the Hamas administration in the Gaza Strip, said Martin‘s release came in response to request from South African and British diplomats in the West Bank.
Great reporting.
Great reporting.