AHMAD MANASRA: Tomorrow, Sunday 13 November at 13:30, Be'er Sheva District Court to hear a request of Israel Prison Service to extend his solitary confinement

On 13 November 2022, at 13:30 Jerusalem time, the Be'er Sheva District Court will hear the Israel Prison Service’s request to extend the solitary confinement of Palestinian youth prisoner Ahmad Manasra. Manasra, a resident of East Jerusalem, began serving a nine-and-a-half-year prison sentence at the age of 14, after being convicted of attempted murder.

During his time in prison, Manasra's mental health has severely deteriorated and he was diagnosed with schizophrenia. According to doctors, Manasra’s condition requires immediate attention outside prison.

Manasra has been in solitary confinement since 22 November 2021. His isolation was due to end in May 2022, however, the Be’er Sheva District Court approved the extension of his solitary confinement for an additional 6 months.

The State Attorney's Office first announced its intention to submit the extension request only last Thursday (11 November 2022), and his legal team has not yet received the written request.

Manasra's legal team, which includes Adalah attorneys Nareman Shehadeh-Zoabi and Adi Mansour and private attorney Khaled Zabarqa will argue before the court against this inhumane request. Extending Manasra’s solitarity confinement amounts to torture and ill-treatment, and violates international human rights law, especially considering his health condition.

In the coming days, the Israeli Supreme Court is also expected to issue its decision on a motion filed on 3 October 2022, seeking permission to appeal a lower Israeli court’s decision to deny the early release of Ahmad Manasra.

CLICK HERE to read more about the motion filed to the Israeli Supreme Court.