GAZA, Tuesday, March 26, 2019 (WAFA) – The Gaza Magistrate Court acquitted yesterday a local journalist of charges based on her investigative reporting that exposed corruption in Gaza’s ministry of health patients’ referral department, according to Al-Mezan Center for Human Rights.

Hajar Harb published a report in June 2016 exposing corruption in the health sector that caused one physician to file a complaint against her that led to her arrest for a short while then court hearings.

When Harb was out of Gaza on a medical treatment, a Gaza court sentenced her in absentia for six months in prison based on the complaint. When Harb returned to Gaza in 2017, she appealed the ruling and several court hearings were held until yesterday the Magistrate court acquitted her of any charges.

Al-Mezan Center welcomed the court ruling, stressing the right of journalists to freedom of reporting and expression.

M.K.