RAMALLAH, March 13, 2011 (WAFA) - Israeli authorities Sunday refused to release the Palestinian prisoner Abdullah Abu Rahma, coordinator of Bilin’s Popular Committee against the Wall and Settlements.

The prisoner’s lawyer Gaby Lasky said he has finished his 16 month sentence and no reasons were given for continuing to hold him. Abu Rahma was charged with incitement and organization of peaceful demonstrations in Bilin.

The popular committees against the wall and settlements in the West Bank denounced this act and said it will not prevent Abu Rahma and other activists from continuing their popular resistance.

In January, Amnesty International had called Abu Rahma a “prisoner of conscience jailed solely for speaking out” and called for his immediate and unconditional release.

'By extending Abdallah Abu Rahma's sentence the Israeli authorities appear to be seeking not only to punish him further in a case where the prosecution’s evidence was questionable to begin with, but to deter others from participating in legitimate protests,' Philip Luther, Amnesty International's Deputy Director for the Middle East and North Africa, had said.