HAMAS ARRESTS FORMER SPOKESMAN ON CHARGES OF CORRUPTION

Gaza City, 24 Rabi’ul Akhir 1435/234 February 2014 (MINA) – The Islamic Resistance Movement Hamas confirmed in a statement Saturday that the Ayman Taha, one of the movement’s young icons, was arrested in Gaza on charges of corruption, and that he is currently being held for questioning.

Gaza security forces detained Taha on suspicion that he had taken advantage of his official position to make illegal profits, Hamas’ statement said without elaborating, Middle East Monitor (MEMO) quoted by Mi’raj Islamic News Agency (MINA) as reporting.

A Hamas official said in a press release that the former spokesman of the group, Ayman Taha, is currently undergoing investigations regarding misconduct, illegal profiteering, and betrayal of trust.

The statement stressed that there was no suspicion that Taha cooperated with enemy entities. The charges are purely internal and not related to security issues with “enemies”.

“Taha has committed a number of violations and he will be held accountable as a citizen,” the first deputy of the legislative council Ahmad Bahr said in a statement earlier this week.

Taha’s arrest will not effect his family, the statement said, noting that Taha’s father, Muhammad Taha, is a co-founder of Hamas.(T/P02/P04)

Mi’raj Islamic News Agency (MINA)