Hamas: Fatah member connected to Mer-Khamis murder

Terror group's spokesman says Mujahed Qaniri is known to residents of Jenin as a member of the Al Aqsa Martyrs Brigades.

By KHALED ABU TOAMEH, JPOST.COM STAFF
Mer-Khamis 311 (photo credit: Wikimedia commons)
Mer-Khamis 311
(photo credit: Wikimedia commons)
Hamas said on Wednesday that the man who was arrested by the Palestinian Authority security forces in Jenin in connection with the slaying of Israeli actor Juliano Mer-Khamis is a member of Fatah and has nothing to do with the Islamist movement.
Hamas spokesman Sami Abu Zuhri identified the suspect as Mujahed Qaniri. He said that Qaniri is known to residents of Jenin as a member of Fatah and its armed wing, the Aksa Martyrs Brigades.
The Hamas spokesman accused the PA security forces of spreading rumors that the prime suspect in the murder was a member of Hamas.
Qaniri was arrested hours after the killing, which took place outside the Freedom Theater in the Jenin refugee camp.
A PA security source confirmed that Qaniri was once a member of Fatah, but claimed that he later defected to Hamas.
The source said the suspect has denied involvement in the killing.