Ref: 30/2008

Date: 15 April 2008

Time: 11:00 GMT 

PCHR Calls for Investigation into the Death of a Palestinian Following Abduction by Unknown Militants

PCHR strongly condemns murdering Sami ‘Atiya Khattab, 36, from Deir al-Balah, following his abduction by unknown militants. PCHR calls upon concerned authorities to investigate this crime, which is part of the state of security chaos and misuse of weapons prevailing throughout the Occupied Palestinian Territory (OPT), and to bring the perpetrators to justice.

According to investigations conducted by PCHR and testimonies of the victim’s relatives, at approximately 19:00 on Sunday, 13 April 2008, a number of masked militants traveling in 2 vehicles (Mitsubishi Magnum) kidnapped Sami ‘Atiya Khattab, 36, who owns a store of clothes in Deir al-Balah, and who used to be an officer of the Palestinian General Intelligence. The militants took Khattab to an unknown destination. His relatives informed the police in Deir al-Balah of his abduction. On Tuesday morning, 15 April 2008, the relatives received a phone call from the police, in which they were informed that Khattab’s body was found in Sheikh Ejlin area in the southwest of Gaza City. The body was evacuated to Shifa Hospital in Gaza City.

According to observations on the body by PCHR’s staff members, there were thromboses, clear cuts and bruises all over the body, which strongly indicates that he was subjected to severe physical violence during his abduction.

PCHR strongly condemns this crime, and:

1)      Points out that Khattab’s abduction and killing is part of the state of security chaos and misuse of weapons plaguing the OPT.

2)      Calls upon concerned authorities to investigate this hideous crime and bring the perpetrators to justice.