August 15, 2002
Marwan Barghouti To Be Indicted
(Communicated by the Justice Ministry Spokesman)

Marwan Barghouti is on trial in Tel Aviv District Court

Mr. Barghouti is accused of heading Fatah, the Tanzim and the Al-Aqsa Martyrs' Brigades in Judea and Samaria and of being a central partner in the decision-making of those organizations, which in the past two years, have perpetrated dozens of terrorist attacks in which many Israeli citizens were killed and hundreds wounded. From the evidentiary material, it arises that Barghouti led, administered, financed and initiated many terrorist actions against Israeli targets through terrorists such as: Nasser Aweis, Nasser Abu-Hamid and Raed Karmi. A clear picture emerges of an arch-murderer who had an active hand in dozens of terrorist actions.

Regarding the directing of dozens of acts of murderous terrorism which will be detailed in the indictment, Barghouti will be charged with murder, aiding and abetting murder, promoting murder, attempted murder, criminal conspiracy, and being an active member of a terrorist organization.

Barghouti's indictment was prepared by State Prosecutor's Office Criminal-Security Affairs Department Director Devorah Chen, esq., with the approval of State Prosecutor Edna Arbel, following Attorney-General Elyakim Rubinstein's decision to prosecute senior terrorists apprehended during Operation Defensive Shield in the civil courts.