RAMALLAH, January 21, 2016 (WAFA) – Head of the legal unit in the Palestinian Prisoner’s Society (PPS) Jawal Bolous Thursday said the health condition of hunger striking journalist Mohammad al-Qiq has reached an extremely critical level after a 58-day hunger strike to protest his administrative detention.
Bolous visited al-Qiq in the Israeli Afula hospital where he is currently receiving medical care and said al-Qiq is experiencing severe pain throughout his body, a blurry vision and numbness in his right hand.
The 33-year-old journalist and father to two demanded that he attends the hearing session on January 27, during which the Israeli court will determine whether to release or renew his detention.
However, Bolous said there is a possibility that the court decides against al-Qiq’s release taking into consideration past experiences by other prisoners.
Al-Qiq told Bolous he will only live as a free man or die and become a martyr, in an indication that he will not end his strike until he is released. At this point, al-Qiq is only drinking water without any supplements.
Al-Qiq was detained in November 21, 2015 and held under administrative detention, without charge or trial. He received a detention order for six months without knowing why he is being detained.
M.H
