Allouni is expected to be released within 24 hours
Regional-Spain, Local, 9/10/2003

Manuel De Porta, the lawyer of the Qatari TV station correspondent Teiseir Allouni expressed his optimism that the Spanish authorities will release his client within 24 hours.

De Porta said that one of the judges of the supreme court will today debate the issue of releasing Allouni currently held in Spain over accusations of having links to al-Qaida organization.

The lawyer explained that "good news" will be declared concerning Allouni who made an interview with the leader of al-Qaida organization Osama Bin Laden a short time following September 11 attacks against the USA.

The Spanish authorities suspects that Allouni who was detained last week in southern Spain gave information and aid to al-Qaida members, but he strongly denied these allegations. On Monday judge Gharthoun gave order to extend holding Allouni in Custody for an additional 72 hours for inquiries.

However, Allouni detention raised criticism of human rights groups and his colleagues in al-Jazeera TV who urged the Spanish prime minister Maria Aznar to release him.

A silent demonstration is due to be held in London on Friday at the Spanish embassy in protest of continued detention of Allouni.

On the other hand, journalists unions in Jordan, Palestine and Syria called for immediate release of Allouni, who is of the Syrian origin, considering his detention as a preventing freedom of expression, guaranteed by all international norms and charters.

In Cairo, the Arab human rights organization called for Allouni's immediate release, noting that this measure comes in the context of an extended campaign targeting al-Jazeera TV and that fighting what is called terrorism will not be achieved by oppressing the media and hiding fact.

Previous Stories:
  Spain extends the detention of an al-Jazeera journalist   (9/9/2003)
  Spain releases 14 Maghrebans suspected of being al-Qaida militants   (3/24/2003)

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