RAMALLAH, November 22, 2006 (WAFA) - Alternative Information Centre (AIC) called for the release of its member, Ahmad Abu Hannya whom an Israeli military court extended his administrative detention, until November 30.

In a press release, AIC revealed that the extension is aimed at allowing the Israeli authorities to interrogate him.

Attorney, Sahar Francis, of the Palestinian human rights organization Addameer, fears that on 30 November, Israel will issue an administrative detention order against Ahmad for an additional six months.

Ahmad, coordinator of the AIC youth group in Bethlehem, was detained at a checkpoint on his way to work on 18 May 2005 and placed in administrative detention, which is imprisonment without trial or charges. As with all of the approximately 600 Palestinian administrative detainees currently being held by Israel, Ahmad and his attorney are not even permitted to know the evidence against him.

AIC said that the continuing detention of Ahmad and so many other Palestinians blatantly violates international law, which permits administrative detention as an exceptional and highly regulated measure.

"Administrative detention violates the fundamental right to liberty and due process, and is used by Israel as a tool to oppress political activists in Palestine who struggle non-violently against the Israeli occupation and for a just peace between Palestinians and Israelis," AIC concluded.

H.M (14:35 P) (12:35 GMT)