Marwan Barghouti beaten by Israeli prison guards, says detainees advocate

Marwan Barghouti, one the most prominent Palestinian political prisoners, was beaten by Israeli prison guards "in recent days", according to the head of the Palestinian Commission for Detainees and Ex-Prisoners’ Affairs. 

Qadura Fares said the targeting of Barghouti, which is endangering his life, is part of a campaign of repression against Palestinian prisoners which has escalated since the start of the month of Ramadan.

Punitive measures include "severe beatings, insults, humiliation and confiscation of the Qur’an from cells". 

"The situation has become more dangerous than anyone could imagine, as the lives of the prisoners have become threatened in the true sense," Fares said. 

He added that another high-profile prisoner facing increased attacks recently is Thabet Merdawi, an Islamic Jihad leader in jail since 2002.