Demanding the arrest of the founder of the electronic infectious website, ‘shocking’, he says that ‘the climate is becoming poisonous in Europe for independence in Europe’.
UN human rights experts and activists have condemned the arrest of a prominent Palestinian journalist in the Swiss city of Zurich, saying it has raised concerns about freedom of expression.
Ali Abunima – Executive Director of Online Publications Electronic Infada, who calls himself “Palestine’s Massive Directive Weapon”. He was arrested by Swiss police on Saturday before his speech in Zurich, the website said in a statement.
Swiss police confirmed that a 53 -year -old American citizen has been arrested. He cited the ban on registration and said that further steps were being considered under his immigration law.
Irene Khan called the arrest “shocking news” on the freedom of opinion and expression and called on Switzerland to investigate and release in a post on the X -social media platform on Sunday. –
“The climate of freedom in Europe is becoming poisonous, and we must all be worried,” said Franciska Albansey, a UN special envoy for human rights in the occupied areas.
I share the shock and wish for an immediate investigation into the matter. In Europe, the climate of freedom of expression is becoming increasingly poisonous, and we should all be worried. https://t.co/1KE9MAASGY
– Francisa Albanz, UN Special Reporter Opt (@Francslbus) January 26, 2025
Palestinian supporters’ lawyers group Swiss Action for Human Rights launched an application to release Abunima on Sunday.
A spokesman for the United States Embassy in Burn said he was providing proper consular assistance after seeing reports of the arrest of a US citizen, which has reduced further comment.
Electronic Infada said in a statement that Abunima was arrested a day after arriving in Zurich.
“He is currently being detained and has access to legal advice,” he said on Saturday. “When he arrived at Zurik Airport on Friday, police were questioned by police from Abunima before permission to enter the country.”
Explaining the arrest “The growing response from Western governments against the solidarity with the Palestinian people”, the website reported that several activists and journalists were arrested in the UK last year, raided Killed or “counter -terrorism” powers were used.
These included Asa Vinsteinley, an associate editor with electronic Infada, whose house was raided and a computer and phone occupied, adding that Vinsinley has not been accused of any crime.
It is not a crime to speak out against injustice in Palestine. Journalism is not a crime, the website said.
During a solidarity protests for Palestine in Geneva on Saturday, protesters said that the arrest of Abonima was “no legal basis”.
“It has been defamed by jewelry media,” said one speakers. “We make free speech in Switzerland. This is a constitutional right, “he said, calling the arrest” unacceptable “.
“We support all Palestinian workers and workers for human rights, Ali Abunima,” he said.
