Former Arab MK to be released from Israel prison in May

Palestinian citizen of Israel, Amir Mikhwal (L) and former Arab member of the Knesset Basel Ghattas are set to be released from Israeli prison [Arab48]

Former Arab member of the Knesset Basel Ghattas is set to be released from Israeli prison on 27 May, Arab48 reported.

Ghattas, who is spending his prison term in Jalbou Prison, was convicted of smuggling mobile phones to Palestinian prisoners inside Israeli jails.

Denied he had committed a crime, Ghattas said his actions were to help prisoners based on human and ethical grounds.

As a result of the charges against him, he resigned from the Knesset as part of a plea bargain and accepted a two year prison term.

Another Palestinian citizen of Israel, Amir Mikhwal, is also set to be released on 5 May after serving nine years in prison over charges of spying for Hezbollah.

READ: Israel holds Palestinian MP under administrative detention

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