Israel court lifts detention order against Palestinian hunger striker

Israel's High Court on Wednesday suspended a detention-without-trial order on hunger-striking Palestinian prisoner Mohammed Allan but said he must remain in hospital pending a decision on his future.

"Due to the petitioner's medical condition he will remain in intensive care," said the ruling, seen by AFP.

"This means that for now, owing to the hunger striker's medical condition, the administrative detention order is no longer operative."

The case of Allan, 31, whose two-month hunger strike has put his life at risk, has put intense pressure on Israeli authorities, who have detained him without charge since November and  fear that his death in Israeli custody could further fan the flames of Palestinian unrest.

Allan regained consciousness on Tuesday after being in a coma for several days, but pledged to resume fasting if Israel did not resolve his case within 24 hours. It was unclear if he had done so.

The court said that for now he should be treated like other hospital patients.

"His family and friends will be able to visit him, not as a prisoner, subject to the usual medical instructions on visiting the sick," the ruling said.

"After his condition stabilises, if Allan asks to be moved to another hospital he is to apply to the authorities and in the case of difficulty or disagreement it will be possible to turn to the court," it added.
Source: AFP