Hamas suspect in shootout with Israelis sentenced to 12 years

GAZA, West Bank (Reuters) -- Palestinian officials said on Friday that a security court had sentenced to 12 years in jail a Hamas militant who was wounded in a West Bank shoot-out in which three Israeli soldiers died.

"Mahmoud Abu Hanoud was sentenced to 12 years in prison for forming military cells and affording them weapons and ammunition in violation of item 141 of Palestinian law for the year 1960," Palestinian Attorney General Khalid al-Qidra told Reuters.

Hassam Arafat, the spokesman for about 100 lawyers who have volunteered to defend Mahmoud Abu Hanoud, rejected the verdict handed down by the security court less than three hours after the trial began.

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"This quick trial is a violation of all principles of law...The state security courts do not afford the minimal legal procedures for the accused and for the defense," he said, adding that his legal team would appeal the decision.

Abu Hamoud, described by Israel as its most wanted West Bank Palestinian activist, surrendered to Palestinian security after fleeing to Nablus with a shoulder wound sustained in the confrontation last weekend in the village of Assira al-Shamaliyeh.

Around 2,000 supporters of the radical Hamas group demonstrated in the West Bank hours earlier to show support for Abu Hanoud who Israel charges with playing a key role in two suicide bombings in Jerusalem in 1997.

Copyright 2000 Reuters. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.

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