GAZA, Sunday, March 24, 2019 (WAFA) – The Gaza-based Palestinian Center for Human Rights (PCHR) said today that it stands strongly against a trial for a reporter over a story she wrote almost three years ago exposing corruption in medical transfers for Gaza patients.

It said the Gaza Magistrate Court is scheduled to hold a trial tomorrow for the journalist, Hajer Harb, over a story she published on June 25, 2016, in which she exposed corruption in the referral of patients by the Ministry of Health in Gaza.

After the publication of the investigative story, a doctor filed a complaint with the attorney general in Gaza claiming he was damaged by the report. As a result, Harb was detained, interrogated then released.

Harb shortly after left the Gaza Strip for medical treatment abroad, and while she was away a court sentenced her in absentia on June 4, 2017, for six months in prison and $300 fine.

When Harb returned to Gaza early last year, she appealed the ruling and several hearings were held. Tomorrow’s hearing is supposed to include the ruling.

PCHR said it strongly opposes filing any charges against the reporter based on her journalistic work, stressing that the attorney general should have investigated the charges of corruption exposed in the report instead of the journalist.

It expressed hope the court would stand up for freedom of the press and expression, throw out the complaint against Harb, dismiss all charges against her and compensate her for the material and psychological damages she suffered all these years.

M.K.