Below you will kindly find a statement for immediate release, issued by Human Rights and Democracy Media Center “SHAMS” / Palestine. About the execution of the citizen Ahmad Barhoum from Rafah city in a military site related to the brigades. As he was passed onto his family by Izz-Edden Alqassam Brigades, the military wing of “Hamas” organization, on a condition of being executed by his family. It is worth noting that he has been detained by the brigades for two months.
“SHAMS” Center condemns the execution of the citizen Ahmad Barhoum
“SHAMS” Center condemns the execution of Ahmad Said Mohammed Barhoum by a member of his family, as mentioned in statement issued by the family. Based on the follow up of the center, at 10:45 AM on Friday January 19th of 2018, the body of the citizen (29) years old was moved to Abu Yusuf Alnajjar hospital in Rafah city, with the mark of a bullet in the chest as reported by the hospital with attendance of family members. Following the medical observation and declaration of death, the body was passed on to his family without the attendance of the Prosecution and without sending it to the forensic medicine and he was buried on Friday noon. According to the statements made by the citizen’s relatives, execution was implemented in a site related to Izz-Edden Alqassam Brigades, the military wing of “Hamas” to the west of Rafah city, and he was previously detained for two months by the brigades. Barhoum’s family issued a statement on Friday mentioned that he was executed by his family after being passed by the so called “resistance security” and the family implemented death penalty. As he was involved in transfer of information regarding resistance leaders which resulted in the assassination of three of them who are: Raed Attar, Mohammed Abu Shammaleh and Mohammed Barhoum a family member on august 21st of 2014 in Rafah city. Based on the interrogations of the military wing of “Hamas”.
“SHAMS” Center denounces the carelessness and irresponsibility of citizens’ souls. The center considers the execution of the citizen Ahmad Barhoum as a gross violation against the right to life, an extra-judicial execution and an infringement upon the power and prestige of the judiciary. Also, the center recognizes it as a violation against criteria of fair trial headed by the presenting an indictment and the availability of the right to defense, transparency and publicity of the session. And against the right to last resort appeals before an independent unbiased judicial body that assume setting the punishment by virtue of law after being found guilty.
“SHAMS” Center strongly deprecates the detention and interrogation of the citizen by Izz-Edden Alqassam Brigades, the military wing of “Hamas” organization, without taking into account the legal guarantees given by the Palestinian law. This affirms that resistance security entities shouldn’t get involved within internal affair being considered as breach against justice facilities and human rights and a threat against community safety. Accordingly, the center urges the specialized authorities of Gaza Strip to investigate in the incident of the citizen’s execution, to publish the findings and holding everyone found involved accountable. In order to respect for the rule of law & human rights, and to protect the Palestinian community from consequences of extra-judicial actions.
“END”