Ameer Makhoul

Ameer Makhoul (Arabic: أمير مخول; born June 19, 1958) is a Christian Palestinian Israeli and the director of the Haifa -based NGO " Ittijah ". In May 2010, Makhoul was arrested and charged with espionage.

Prehistory

The organization " Ittijah " was chosen as a member of beisitzendes the Economic and Social Council of the United Nations in 2004. For many years Makhoul was intimidated. He was repeatedly prevented from airport from flying to international congresses.

Arrest

On May 6, Ameer Makhoul was arrested in the middle of the night in a raid operation in his home. About the affair a news blackout was imposed. Makhoul claimed to have been tortured during interrogations. [ Also, Makhoul was unable undisturbed talk with his lawyers, which contradicts the Israeli law during the detention period. During this initial detention was not clear whose Makhoul was accused. It was not until the end of May was raised against Makhoul indictment. In the indictment Makhoul and a second detainee of spying for Hezbollah accused. According to the indictment Makhoul have been Hezbollah agents in 2008 met and recruited in Denmark. In October 2010, an agreement was negotiated in criminal proceedings, pursuant to which he was spying for Hezbollah. For the charge of high treason was dropped, what Makhoul should have to spend the rest of his life in prison. In January 2011, Makhoul was sentenced to nine years in prison. The organization Amnesty International took up the case, mainly because of the accusations of torture. The Bundestag deputies Annette Groth, Jan van Aken, Christine Buchholz and more focused on 9 July a small request to the federal government, which responded to the government on July 26.

Personal life

Makhoul the brother of former MKs Issam Makhoul and Janan Abdou is married, she also an activist and researcher.