Palestinian presidential candidate arrested in Jerusalem

cctv.com 01-11-2005 14:34

Israeli police detained Palestinian presidential candidate Mustafa Barghouti on Friday outside Jerusalem's Old City.

Barghouti, an independent candidate who runs second in opinion polls, was arrested on his way to attend Friday prayers at the Al-Aqsa mosque in east Jerusalem, witnesses said.

He was in police custody for questioning after violating previously arranged agreements, which forbid election campaigning on Temple Mount, Israeli police said.

They added that Barghouti was released from detention and escorted to a checkpoint on the outskirts of Jerusalem later Friday afternoon.

It was the second time Barghouti was detained by Jerusalem police during his campaign trip.

On Dec. 27, he was taken into custody for several hours while preparing for an election rally in east Jerusalem.

Israeli police said Barghouti had a permit to pass through the city, but did not have a permit to remain in Jerusalem.

Meanwhile, candidates in the Palestinian presidential election slated for Jan. 9 kicked off their final day of campaigning Friday.

The overwhelming favorite to win the election, Palestine Liberation Organization chief Mahmoud Abbas, has canceled a campaign stop planned in Jerusalem, saying Israeli security arrangements would have embarrassed him, a campaign official said.

Editor:Hu Hang  Source:Xinhua News Agency