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Photo: Jailed journalist Suhaib al-Assa, 26, works for Radio Bethlehem 2000.


BETHLEHEM, April 16, 2012 (WAFA) - An Israeli military court sentenced Palestinian journalist Suhaib al-Assa to four months in prison and fined him around $1000, Assa’s father, Aziz, told WAFA Monday.

Assa, who works for Radio Bethlehem 2000, was taken from his home in the Bethlehem-area village of Obeidieh on February 5.

Soldiers raided the house and seized Assa’s personal computer and cell telephones before arresting him, said his father.

R.Q./M.S.

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Israel jails Bethlehem journalist for 4 months

BETHLEHEM (Ma'an) -- An Israeli military court on Monday jailed a Bethlehem journalist for four months, relatives said.

Suhaib al-Assa, 26, who works for Radio Bethlehem 2000, was also fined around 3,000 shekels ($800) by the military court, his father said.

He was arrested by Israeli forces on Feb. 5, after soldiers raided his home in the Bethlehem village of al-Ubeidiya. Soldiers seized the journalist's personal computer and cellphone during the raid, relatives told PA news agency Wafa.

Al-Assa is being held in administrative detention, a practice started under British mandate rule.

Over 300 Palestinians are held without charge in Israel. A wave of hunger strikes has drawn attention to Israel's decades-long use of administrative detention.

Israel says it refuses to disclose accusations or evidence to lawyers or detainees due to security concerns.