On the afternoon of Saturday, January 25, Palestinian journalist and co-founder of Electronic Intifada Ali Abunimah was arrested in Zurich, Switzerland, ahead of a speaking event.
According to a statement released by Swiss Action for Human Rights, Abunimah “was violently and forcibly taken by unidentified individuals in civilian clothing while walking on the streets of Zurich,” and is now being held in administrative detention and awaiting possible deportation on Monday, January 27.
The statement also pointed out, “This follows a defamatory article published in a local newspaper, baselessly accusing him of radical islamism and antisemitism, accompanied by a request by cantonal police to prohibit him from entering the territory, supposedly based on the media accusations. Abunimah has not been condemned for any criminal offense in Switzerland, nor has his current case been examined by a judicial authority.”
His arrest was announced first by Electronic Intifada in a statement released on Saturday. The outlet stated, “Abunimah’s arrest appears to be part of a growing backlash from Western governments against expressions of solidarity with the Palestinian people…Speaking out against injustice in Palestine is not a crime. Journalism is not a crime.”
In October, the home of Abunimah’s colleague, Asa Winstanley, was raided and electronic devices seized by United Kingdom authorities, but was not charged with any crime.
The arrest of an influential figure in the global Palestine solidarity movement has prompted widespread outrage from journalists, press freedom organizations, and human rights groups. Swiss Action for Human Rights has issued a petition calling for Abunimah’s release.
“I share the shock and urge for a prompt investigation into this matter,” said United Nations Special Rapporteur on the occupied Palestinian territories Francesca K. Albanese in response to Abunimah’s arrest. “The climate surrounding freedom of speech in Europe is becoming increasingly toxic, and we should all be concerned.”
Hossam Shabat, a Palestinian journalist from northern Gaza, also expressed his solidarity with Abunimah, stating: “I stand in solidarity with my colleague Ali Abunimah who was arrested in Switzerland. Palestinian journalists continue to be targeted in and outside of Palestine.
