Al Mezan condemns the kidnapping of an Italian journalist, 30-year-old Lorenzo Karimonizi ,who works for Italian newspaper Korery De la sera.
Lorenzo, was kidnapped by armed persons while on his way back from Deir Balah to Gaza City, after he interviewed activists from Al Aqsa Martyrs Brigades.
According to the Center's fieldworkers, at approximately 5pm on Saturday 10 September 2005, a Mercedes car blocked the way of journalist Lorenzo, who was in a yellow Mercedes cap, near Palestine Technical Collage in the town of Deir Al Balah.
Three masked persons took him into their car and disappeared.
Lorenzo was on his way back from Deir Al Balah to Gaza City with a Palestinian translator and a driver after his interviews.
He was released at approximately 9pm on the same day.
According to the documentation of Al Mezan, this incident was the 21st of its kind in Gaza; ten of which occurred in 2005.
At approximately 7am on Saturday 10 September 2005, around 30 armed persons stormed into the middle governorate building and some 40 others broke into the Ministry of Interior (MOI) building in Deir Al Balah and took control of them.
They prevented employees to access their offices.
Another group gathered at the entrance of Al Zahra town on Gaza beach and deprived military cars from passing through the beach road.
In a separate incident, armed persons opened fire at the Press Office of the MOI from a white Mercedes yesterday at around 3pm.
According to the MOI sources, the car from which the shooting occurred was crossing the UN conjunction in Gaza city near the MOI’s office.
The guards were at the scene fired back.
No injuries were reported.
Al Mezan condemns with the strongest words the kidnappings regardless their motivations.
It also expresses its grave concern about the deterioration of the security situation that has taken a serious course, especialy following the assassination of the Maj.
Gen.
Mussa Arafat in Gaza last week.
The Center believes that such kidnappings might continue unless the PNA is takes serious procedures against them and bringing to justice those who are involved in them; particularly after issuing a press release by some families indicating their intention to kidnap foreigners to pressure the PNA.
Thus, Al Mezan urges the PNA to stick to its duties by providing security and safety for their citizens and every person living on its territory.
The Center emphasizes that this incident and those before gravely reflect the deterioration of the rule of the law, and insecurity.
Both of these jeopardize the personal safety of the Palestinians, and negatively affect the Palestinian people and the Palestinian cause.
As the Center condemns kidnapping the journalist and all the incidents which could ruin the authority and respect of the law.
It demands the PNA to take all the necessary procedures to end the state of insecurity, and to impose the rule of law as to ensure personal security for all citizens.
END.