Ashton concerned after Tamimi conviction

Catherine Ashton, the European Union's foreign policy chief, is concerned about the conviction of Bassem Tamimi in an Israeli military court, a representative said Tuesday. Tamimi was convicted Sunday of taking part in illegal demonstrations and of soliciting protesters to throw stones. The EU considers Tamimi to be a human rights defender committed to non-violent protest against the expansion of an Israeli settlement on lands belonging to his West Bank village of Nabi Saleh, Ashton's representative said. A statement from Ashton's office said the EU attended all court hearings in his case and is concerned at the use of evidence based on the testimony of a minor who was interrogated "in violation of his rights." "The EU believes that everyone should be able to exercise their legitimate right to protest in a nonviolent manner," the statement said.