FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Palestinian political leader Sheikh Raed Salah has had his application for bail accepted by a High Court judge. The Sheikh has been held in prison for almost three weeks pending deportation since his initial application for bail was refused.

According to Dr Daud Abdullah, Director of Middle East Monitor, who had invited Sheikh Raed Salah to Britain to give talks to politicians and academics, the latest development is a step in the right direction. "This is a positive move but, as the judge considered the evidence before him, he could come to no other decision and we thank him for that. We are confident that the release of Sheikh Raed will be the beginning of a successful attempt to exonerate him from the character slurs and allegations that have appeared in some sections of the media and political quarters."

Ismail Patel was at the bail hearing at the Royal Courts of Justice in London on Friday. The Chair of Friends of Al-Aqsa called the result "a tremendous relief". Thanking the judge, he added, "It is worth remembering that this situation was wholly avoidable and the Home Secretary’s arrest of Sheikh Raed Salah and attempt to deport him were not backed up with any firm evidence."

Following the success at the High Court, Sheikh Salah will now be released from custody, subject to certain bail conditions, and be able to continue the fight to clear his name.

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For more information please contact Shazia Arshad on +44 (0)20 8838 0231 or +44 (0)7527 746 478

The Middle East Monitor is an independent media research institute founded in the United Kingdom in 2009 to foster a fair and accurate coverage of Middle Eastern issues and in particular the Palestine Question in the Western Media.

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