Israel to indict 5 Palestinians on terror charges

Marwan Barghouti was arrested by Israeli forces in April.

JERUSALEM (CNN) -- The Israeli government said Thursday it is drafting indictments accusing five Palestinians of being the heads of terrorist organizations, and it plans to try them in civilian courts.

Among the five is Marwan Barghouti, whom Israel once considered to be a moderate and a leading contender to replace Palestinian leader Yasser Arafat.

"Marwan Barghouti will be tried for terrorism and murder," said government spokesman Arye Mekel. "The government is preparing an indictment which should be ready soon."

Barghouti -- whom Israel accuses of heading the Al Aqsa Martyrs Brigades on the West Bank and of being involved in several "specific" terror attacks -- was captured by the Israel Defense Forces on April 15 during Operation Defensive Shield.

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Barghouti has denied the Israeli charges, and his attorneys have said they will not participate in an Israeli trial.

The Israeli Justice Ministry said the decision was made to try Barghouti in a civilian court in order to raise the profile of the proceedings.

Barghouti has been one of the most popular figures in Arafat's Fatah movement.

He learned Hebrew during six years in an Israeli prison and was once a strong supporter of the Oslo peace process.

But, according to Israel, he has become increasingly radical since the outbreak of the Al Aqsa Intifada in September 2000.

The other four Palestinians were identified as: