Marwan Barghouti, the jailed Palestinian leader often referred to as 'Palestine's Mandela', has been attacked three times in as many weeks, including an assault in which prison guards allegedly set a dog on him, his lawyer has said.
Barghouti, 66, is respected across rival Palestinian factions and has long backed a two-state solution. He is serving multiple life sentences for attacks during the second intifada, a trial criticised as flawed by legal experts.
In a statement after a prison visit, lawyer Ben Marmarelli said Barghouti faced a 'clear pattern of escalating abuse: violence, medical neglect, and treatment that places him at immediate risk'. Marmarelli described an incident on 25 March when guards entered his cell with a dog, forced him to the ground, and the dog 'repeatedly attacked him'. Further assaults occurred during a transfer and on 8 April, when he was reportedly left bleeding for over two hours and denied medical care.
Nelson Mandela, South Africa's first democratically elected president, reportedly said in 2002 that what was happening to Barghouti 'is exactly the same as what happened to me'. Israel has refused to release Barghouti in prisoner exchanges.
Marmarelli urged immediate release, warning that 'in an atmosphere where Israel is emboldened in its abuse of prisoners the only way to protect Marwan is to secure his immediate release'. On the 24th anniversary of his imprisonment, celebrities including Cate Blanchett, Bryan Adams and Don Cheadle joined calls for his release.
Barghouti's family has expressed fears for his life after reports of a beating that left him unconscious. The Israel Prison Service did not respond to requests for comment.
