Man arrested in the Arrigoni murder case suspected of collaboration

[ 17/04/2011 - 09:08 AM ]

GAZA, (PIC)--

The murder of Italian activist Vittorio Arrigoni raised the serious question as to who stands behind such a gruesome act, especially after the Israeli PM Benjamin Netanyahu declared he has plans to thwart solidarity with the Gaza Strip ”at any price”.

The Palestinian security awareness website Majd has revealed a few surprise discoveries as the case unravels and after several men were taken into custody over suspected involvement in the abduction and murder.

It has come to light that one of the suspects that has been arrested is also suspected of collaboration (with Israel) and has a number of violations on his list, while others appeared naïve. The website said that one of the men got orders to abduct and kill Arrigoni on the internet.

Analysts have not ruled out that Israeli intelligence was behind the crime, as the Israeli occupation government faces a crisis in not being able to stop pro-Palestinian activists from going to Gaza and the publicity that accompanies such solidarity activities. That is in addition to growing western popular awareness regarding the facts about occupation which is effectively blowing the occupation’s cover of “legitimacy”.

The “group” responsible for the kidnapping and murder of Arrigoni killed him  before the deadline it made for the government to release some of the “group's” elements, a step which implied premeditation.

Meanwhile, Prime Minister Ismail Haniya is scheduled to meet with the foreign press at the Council of Ministers in Gaza on Sunday to talk about Arrigoni's death and the steps the government has taken to pursue the case.

The crime stirred widespread popular anger amongst Palestinians in the West Bank and the Gaza Strip. They have declared that the crime only serves the Israeli occupation.

Gaza Interior Ministry arrests two suspects in Arrigoni murder

[ 16/04/2011 - 03:21 PM ]

GAZA, (PIC)--

The Gaza Interior Ministry has arrested two suspects as the probe continues into the murder of Italian activist Vittorio Arrigoni.

His body was found in an empty Gaza apartment on Friday morning after he was kidnapped by men linked to a Salafi group who were using him as a ransom to ensure the freedom of some of their group's elements.

The Interior Ministry said they are still pursuing more of those involved in the murder.

Prime Minister of the Palestinian government in Gaza Ismail Haniya had confirmed that the government had been following Arrigoni's case from the first moment news leaked about his abduction on Thursday. He added that he made strict orders to ensure his release as soon as possible.

The culprits had killed him before the deadline they set for the government.

Haniya said while personally phoning the deceased's mother that the government continued to pursue the perpetrators and would bring them to justice as soon as possible.

According to an interview with the British Guardian newspaper, the victim's mother Egidia Beretta, who is mayor of a small village between Milano and Lake Como, said that it wasn't the first time her son had experienced danger during his three years of activism in the Gaza Strip. He had previously received death threats from a US far-right website that provided any would-be killers with a photo and details of his distinguishing traits. And he was injured while accompanying a Gaza fisherman in 2008.

Arrigoni spent a total of nine years in the Palestinian territories and had been asked by Israel to leave the West Bank. He also took part in the Free Gaza mission in 2008.

His mother said that he never had placed his life in danger and lived safely among the Palestinians.

Haniya Phones Arrigoni’s Mother To Express Condolences

Saturday April 16, 2011 05:59 by Saed Bannoura - IMEMC & Agencies

Prime Minister of the dissolved Government in the Gaza Strip, Hamas political leader Ismail Haniyya, phoned on Friday the mother of slain Italian activist, Palestine Solidarity Movement member, Vittorio Arrigoni, providing his sincere condolences and the condolences of the Palestinian people, and vowing to apprehend and prosecute the murderers.

Haniya stated that the first moments after Arrigoni’s abduction, the government started investigating the issue and demanded the kidnappers to ensure his safe and fast release, and added that the kidnappers killed Vittorio even before the deadline they set ended, an issue that indicates their intention to commit murder and not to negotiate.

During his phone conversation with Vittorio’s mother, Haniya said that the government is conducting all what it can to apprehend the murderers and send them to court as soon as possible.

The phone call was conducted during an urgent government meeting to discuss the murder of Vittorio. Haniya affirmed the Gaza is safe for everybody, residents and guests.

Following the government session, Haniya read a statement in which he said that the crime was committed while Gaza was facing Israel intentions of further aggression, yet while the Palestinians were enjoying internal security.

“This crime is meant to harm the Palestinian people and their struggle”, Haniyya said, “This crime has nothing to do with the Palestinian people, their morals, and their religion”.

He also stated that the Palestinian people have always welcomed guests and supporters, hosted them in their homes and treated them like members of their own families.

Haniya affirmed that the government and the security forces are conducting thorough investigations in an attempt to apprehend the killers.

The security forces managed to apprehend suspects believed to be involved in the issue hours after the crime took place, but is ongoing with further investigation to ensure all related assailants are apprehended.

The Gaza Prime Minister called on all media agencies to be accurate and fair in their coverage of the events and not to jump into unbalanced, nonfactual conclusions.

Haniyya vowed that Gaza will have a street named after Vittorio to honor his memory his love to Palestine, the Palestinian people and his support to their legitimate struggle for liberation and independence.

He said that the government in Gaza reaffirms its supports and protection to all international campaigns against the illegal Israeli siege, all solidarity activists and visitors.

The government will hold an official funeral ceremony for the slain human rights activist, while an official delegation along with a civil society delegation will be heading to Rome to provide their condolences to the family and friends of Vittorio.

With Great Shock and Sorrow, PCHR Condemns Murder of Italian Activist, Vittorio Arrigoni

Saturday April 16, 2011 03:41 by Palestinian Centre for Human Rights (PCHR)

With great shock and sorrow, the Palestinian Centre for Human Rights (PCHR) condemns the murder of Italian activist, Vittorio Arrigoni. On Friday morning, 15 April 2011, Vittorio’s body was found in an abandoned house in the north of the Gaza Strip, following his murder at the hands of kidnappers.

The Palestinian Center for Human Rights (PCHR), and its entire staff, gravely condemns this crime, which targets our inherent human dignity, and the values and traditions of the lawful struggle for freedom and justice. It is this human struggle which connects Gazan’s – locked behind the closed door of the Gaza Strip – with the outside world, and inspires countless individuals to stand as human rights defenders.

PCHR calls upon the government in Gaza to prosecute the perpetrators. Furthermore, all necessary measures must be taken to secure the safety of international activists in the Gaza Strip.

According to investigations conducted by PCHR, on Thursday evening, 14 April 2011, a group named "Group of the Companion Mohammed Bin Maslamah" announced the kidnapping of the Italian journalist, Vittorio Arrigoni, 36, a prominent member of the International Solidarity Movement (ISM) and a human rights defender.

In a video posted on the Youtube website, the group demanded the release of detained members of the group, affiliates of the so-called "Salafist Jihadist Group". The kidnappers threatened to kill Arrigoni if the government in Gaza did not meet their demands within 30 hours.

In a grave development, contrary to fundamental values shared by all Palestinians, the group carried out their threat. On Friday morning, 15 April 2011, security services found the body of Arrigoni in a house located in the 'Amer project area, west of al-Karamah building in the west of Jabalia, north of the Gaza Strip. In his testimony, a PCHR staff-member reported signs of beating on the victim's face, signs of handcuffs on his hands, and signs of strangulation around his neck.

The Ministry of Interior in Gaza issued a press release on Friday, condemning this heinous crime. It declared the arrest of two members of the group and the continued search for others.

Arrigoni had worked in Gaza since 2008, when he arrived on board the "Free Gaza" flotilla, organized to break the closure imposed on the Gaza Strip.

He devoted himself to the defense of Palestinians' rights, and participated in a number of activities against the closure, against violations committed by Israeli Forces against Palestinian civilians, particularly fishermen, and against the Israeli decision to impose a ‘buffer zone’ in the Gaza Strip.

He was arrested by Israel forces on18 November 2008, while he was accompanying a number of fishermen off the shores of Deir al-Balah, central Gaza Strip. However, he returned to Gaza a few months later via Rafah International Crossing.

Arrigoni was also in the West Bank for a few years before coming to Gaza. He has been known for his activity with the International Solidarity Movement.

PCHR reiterates its condemnation of this heinous crime, and:

1. Calls upon the government in Gaza to conduct an effective and prompt investigation to identify the circumstances of the crime, prosecute the perpetrators, and publish the investigations' results;

2. Appreciates the role played by the International Solidarity Movement and other human rights defenders in the occupied Palestinian territory;

3. Calls upon the international community, political powers and Palestinian people to condemn this crime and organize peaceful activities against it.

Body Of Human Rights Solidarity Activist Found In Gaza

Friday April 15, 2011 05:03 by Saed Bannoura - IMEMC & Agencies

The body of an Italian peace and human rights activist, member of the Free Gaza Movement, was found on Friday at dawn in an abandoned house in the Gaza Strip, medial sources reported.

The activist was identified as Vittorio Arrigoni. On Thursday, the Jahidst Salafi group, an outlawed terrorist group that aligns itself with the Al Qaeda Terrorist network, released a video of Arrigoni, and threatened to execute by 5 PM Palestinian time unless Hamas forces release one of the groups’ prominent leaders.

The group calls itself The Brigade of the Gallant Companion of the Prophet Mohammad Bin Muslima, a formerly unknown group.

A security official in the Gaza Strip stated that two men have been detained for questioning, and that the security forces are hunting down more suspects.

The Italian peace activist is also a member of the International Solidarity Movement, and is known for his solidarity and human rights activities in support of the Palestinian people and their struggle against the Israeli occupation. Arrigoni was kidnapped by three gunmen in Gaza City.

The group was demanding the release of several Salfist prisoners detained by Hamas. It also demanded the release of Sheikh Al Saidani (known as Abu Walid Al Maqdisi), the leader of Tawhid and Jihad group, affiliated with the Al Qaida.

Al Saidani, an Egyptian by birth, was arrested by the Egyptian Security Services more than a month ago for involvement in a number of attacks. In 2006, the Al Maqdisi group claimed responsibility for attacks targeting hotels in Sinai, Egypt, killing nineteen people.

Salafist Group Claims No connection With Murder Of Italian Activist

Friday April 15, 2011 11:08 by Saed Bannoura - IMEMC News

The Tawhid and Jihad fundamentalist Salafist group in Gaza, claimed it has no connection with the murder of Italian peace activist, Vittorio Arriogoni, whose body was found hanged on Friday at dawn.

The group published a statement on the internet claiming that it had no connection with the death of Arrigoni, yet stated that what happened is “a natural outcome of the practices of the Hamas-led government against Salafist groups in Gaza”.

The body of Arriogoni was found in an area, north-west of Gaza city.
The group, or an affiliated group, initially published a video on YouTube of Arrigoni before he was murdered.

Arriogoni entered Gaza with an aid convoy in 2008, and showed utmost passion to the Palestinians and their struggle against the Israeli occupation.

He was one of a few international reporters and activists who were in Gaza during Israeli Cast Lead offensive in late December 2009, especially since Israel prevented foreign reporters from entering the besieged enclave.

The Hamas movement in Gaza strongly denounced that killing of the Italian activist and described it as a shameful and a dangerous terrorist attack.

Hamas spokesperson, Fawzi Barhoum, stated in a press release on Friday morning that the group behind the murder is acting on creating chaos and insecurity in the streets of Gaza, and accused it of attempting to sabotage the strong ties between the Palestinian people and their supporters around the world.

Barhoum stated that this outlawed group is acting in accordance with the enemies of the Palestinian people and their cause.

The International Solidarity Movement, ISM, expressed shock and deep sadness after hearing the news of Arrigoni’s murder. The ISM described Arrigoni as an inspiring activist and a generous soul.

The Tawhid and Jihad Salafist fundamentalist group has Islamic Resistance Movement, Hamas, as one of its main sworn enemies, and went into several gun battles with Hamas fighters and members of the Hamas-led security forces in Gaza.

The group is responsible for several previous abductions and for killing Hamas fighters in the Gaza Strip.

In its video, the group demanded Hamas, and Prime Minister of the dissolved government in Gaza Ismail Haniyya, to release all “mujahedin held in Gaza jails” in exchange for releasing the activist.

In August 2009, Hamas’ security forces cracked down of Salafist extremist groups in Gaza and killed 26 members of the group and its leader.

The group also blasted the car of a Hamas leader outside of his home in Gaza. Its members are also believed responsible for several bombings of internet coffee shops in Gaza.

The Salafists believe that Hamas failed to impose Islamic law in the Gaza Strip and blamed the group for maintaining a ceasefire with Israel.