VIENNA, August 8, 2006 (WAFA) - Friends of Humanity International expressed Tuesday its deep concern over the abduction of the Speaker of the Palestinian Legislative Council (PLC), Ministers and the freely elected Palestinian parliament members, who have been placed in the Israeli jails, savagely beaten and debarred from family visits.

In a press release, the Organisation expressed its concern for the health conditions of the ministers and parliament members particularly Mr. Aziz Dwaik, the president of the legislative council, who was brutally beaten yesterday (07/08) in the army-run Ofer prison and was consequently moved to the hospital.

It added that Friends of Humanity International denounced the abduction policy practiced by the occupation authorities against the Palestinian ministers and parliament members.

It considered the intention to bring some of them to trial, which is the reason provided by the Israeli authorities in justification of their detention, as illegal and totally ungrounded.

It called on Israel to free the detainees immediately so that they can resume their duties towards their constituents.

E.B. (15:13 P) (12:13 GMT)