Marwan Barghouti, the outspoken leader of the Palestinian uprising, appeared in an Israeli court Wednesday morning to stand trial on charges he orchestrated widespread attacks against Israel, and said only a peace deal would bring Israelis security.
Barghouti addressed reporters before the start of the trial during which Israel will be looking to show that top Palestinian Authority officials were involved in violence against Israelis.
Barghouti's lawyers said they want to use the trial to draw the world's attention to Israel's actions as an occupying power.
Barghouti wore a brown prison uniform and spoke excitedly to the small courtroom packed with journalists, delivering his message in three languages — Hebrew, Arabic and English. Raising his handcuffed hands in speaking to reporters before the hearing Wednesday, Barghouti said in Hebrew "The uprising will be victorious."
"I am a peaceful man," he said in English. "I was trying to do everything for peace between the two peoples. I believe the best solution is two states for two peoples ... The policy of occupation will not lead to security. Security will only be achieved in one way, by peace, and peace will only be achieved by the end of the occupation."
After several minutes, Barghouti was escorted out of the courtroom by guards, who apparently wanted to cut short his impromptu news conference, AP reported.
In what is expected to be a brief appearance Wednesday morning in the Tel Aviv District Court, Barghouti will be charged with murder, attempted murder and involvement in “terrorist” organizations, the Israeli Justice Ministry said.
The indictment branded Barghouti an "arch-terrorist whose hands are bloodied by dozens of terror actions." Two of Barghouti's deputies, Nasr Aweis and Nasr Abu Hamid, also jailed by Israel, are to serve as witnesses for the prosecution against their former chief.
The charge sheet details Barghouti's alleged activities as head of Fatah in the West Bank, including the Tanzim and the Al Aqsa Martyrs Brigades. He is charged with being involved in the decision-making of those groups and the charge sheet includes details of all the attacks conducted by those groups in the past two years, which resulted in the deaths of dozens of Israelis. (Albawaba.com)
© 2002 Al Bawaba (www.albawaba.com)
