Abbas to release Zakarneh on bail

The leader of the Palestinian Workers’ Union Bassam Zakarneh and his deputy Moein Ansawi were released on bail by Prime Minister Rami Hamdallah.

Hamadallah said: “President Mahmoud Abbas has agreed to release Zakarneh and Ansawi on bail at his own expense under the condition that they contain the fallout of the Palestinian Workers’ Union.”

“The matter is now in the hands of the Palestinian judiciary and the government is committed to respecting the judiciary’s decision,” he continued.

In a statement published by Watan TV, government spokesman Ihab Bseiso said: “The prime minister visited Zakarneh and Ansawi on Thursday evening at the Palestine Medical Complex after he called President Mahmoud Abbas to discuss releasing Zakarneh and Ansawi on bail.”

Both Zakarneh and Ansawi had to be taken to hospital after they became ill while being detained in Palestinian prisons.