Palestinian Authority arrests Dahlan activists in Ramallah for shooting attacks

Them suspects are being interrogated in connection with recent attacks targeting top Fatah and PA security officials in Ramallah.

By KHALED ABU TOAMEH
Palestinians hold posters of Mohammed Dahlan during a Gaza rally, December 18, 2014 (photo credit: REUTERS)
Palestinians hold posters of Mohammed Dahlan during a Gaza rally, December 18, 2014
(photo credit: REUTERS)
Palestinian Authority security forces have arrested a number of Fatah activists on suspicion of involvement in a series of shooting attacks and torching of cars in Ramallah.
The activists are affiliated with ousted Fatah official Mohamed Dahlan, who is based in the United Arab Emirates.
The PA security forces seized various documents and computers belonging to the suspects, according to a senior Palestinian official in Ramallah. The official said that some of the seized documents show that the suspects were responsible for “incitement” against the PA leadership.
Some of the suspects worked for Fatah legislators Majed Abu Shamaleh and Ala Yaghi, who are closely associated with Dahlan. Three of them were identified as Wael Afaneh, Ziad al-Kurdi and Hazem al-Tatar.
Them suspects are being interrogated in connection with recent attacks targeting top Fatah and PA security officials in Ramallah.
The PA official claimed that the suspects, who fled the Gaza Strip after the violent Hamas takeover in 2007, are linked to Dahlan.
Dahlan, a former security commander of the Gaza Strip, was expelled from Fatah a few years ago after falling out with PA President Mahmoud Abbas and his two sons. Abbas has accused Dahlan of seeking to topple the PA and embezzlement of tens of millions of dollars.