Israel’s supreme court has suspended the detention without trial of the hunger-striking Palestinian journalist Mohammed al-Qiq (aka Qeq).
But the court also decided that cannot leave hospital without permission, according to news agency reports.
Al-Qiq, a news reporter for Saudi channel Al Majd, has been on hunger strike since 24 November, three days after his arrest, and was reported to be near death.
The 33-year-old journalist refused food in protest at his six-month sentence under Israel’s controversial administrative detention law.
Israel’s Shin Bet security agency alleged that al-Qiq, who lives on the West Bank, had incited violence and was involved in “terrorist activities” linked to Hamas. Al-Qiq has denied the charges.
The court said it was suspending al-Qiq’s detention order due to his failing health, and that his family will be allowed to visit him in hospital.
Fayha Salash, al-Qiq’s wife, has previously told Al-Jazeera that her husband would accept nothing less than complete freedom.
Al-Qiq has been sentenced to prison on three previous occasions - serving a month in 2003, 13 months in 2004 and 16 months in 2008.
Sources: AFP via Yahoo/Al-Jazeera
