Lawyers representing Hamas' member Mahmoud Abu Hannoud have scoffed at the trial of their client by the state security court at midnight Friday, calling the trial "theatrical" and "a mockery of justice," said Palestine Information Center (PIC).
The court sentenced Abu Hannoud to 12 years in jail for "leading an armed group in contravention to the law."
Last week, three Israeli soldiers were killed at the village of Asira Alshamaliya near Nablus while trying to assassinate Abu Hannoud, said the center.
Abu Hannoud was wounded during the clash but eventually succeeded in fleeing to Nablus where he was arrested by the Palestinian police.
On Sunday, the board of lawyers defending Abu Hannoud issued a statement published in leading Palestinian newspapers questioning the legality of the state security court, added the PIC.
The statement pointed out that Abu Hannoud's trial was held very hastily in the absence of his legal representatives and was sentenced to 12 years.
The statement also called on the PA to immediately dissolve the court and reactivate the civilian court system where legal requirements are guaranteed.
It also demanded that the sentence verdict be considered null and void since Abu Hannoud violated no Palestinian laws.
Earlier, PA officials defended the court sentence, arguing that it only aimed at protecting Abu Hannoud from possible Israeli attacks - Albawaba.com
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