Press freedom group urges probe into reporter beating

BETHLEHEM (Ma'an) -- A Palestinian press freedom group on Monday called  for a government inquiry into the beating of a local journalist in a  Ramallah police station after he was covering demonstrations on Saturday. The Palestinian Center for Development and Media Freedoms, MADA, said  the assault on reporter Muhammad Jaradat "who was simply doing his  job is an abuse of human rights and is a serious backward step in freedom  of opinion and expression." After visiting Jaradat in a Ramallah hospital, where he is still receiving  treatment, MADA said the reporter noted that he was beaten at the  demonstration within sight of police, by four people in civilianclothing  who belong to a police unit. Jaradat said he was then taken to a police station after his camera  was confiscated, where one of his attackers said: "He is a journalist.  Take care of him." "After that they brutally attacked me, despite me showing my press  identification. They took me to the upper floor and continued to beat  me with a stick, causing bleeding in my nose," Jaradat told MADA. "Then they arrested me, with six other people. While they beat me,  I asked to see the Director of Police who is a relative of mine and  he came after an hour of detention and beatings. He apologized to  me and I was released." On Sunday, the Palestinian journalists union said the assault on  Jaradat breaks the government's stated commitment to freedom of  expression. They called on police to urgently investigate and punish  those involved in the attack. Palestinian youth had gathered to protest against the leadership's  scheduling of a meeting with Israeli vice premier Shaul Mofaz, a  summit later called off. Palestinian security forces spokesman Adnan Dmeiri said seven  people were taken into custody on Saturday and later released.  He said more than ten officers and demonstrators sustained bruises  as a result of clashes. On Sunday, protesters gathered again to condemn the violence, and  were fought back with police batons. A Ma'an correspondent said at least two journalists were taken  into custody. Dmeiri said 10 people were hospitalized, and several  arrested, defending the police action as blocking a banned protest  near the presidential headquarters .