Paestinian prisoner Maher al-Akhras is on the “verge of death”, after passing 100 days on hunger strike in protest against his administrative detention by Israeli authorities.
The European External Action Service, the diplomatic service of the European Union (EU), warned last week that Akhras’s health is deteriorating.
“Regardless of the allegations against Mr al-Akhras, the European Union reiterates its long-standing concerns about the extensive use by Israel of administrative detention without formal charges,” it said.
Administrative detention is a highly controversial practice. Used almost exclusively against Palestinians, it allows for detention without charge or trial for renewable periods of three to six months, without the possibility of appeal or knowing what accusations are being levelled against the detained.
Taghreed, Akhras’s wife, told local media that her husband has occasionally entered a state of coma and is suffering convulsions and pain in the heart and eyes.
In October, Israel’s Supreme Court rejected Akhras’s legal petition for release. But on Monday, the court ruled that the prisoner’s administrative detention should end after a four-month term, which runs until 26 November.
Taghreed said that her husband demands his immediate release despite the court decision.
Israeli rights groups B’tselem warned in a statement that Akhras is “on the verge of death”.
“The responsibility for what happens next lies with those who can prevent his further deterioration and even death. They can still stop this from happening,” the Jerusalem-based organisation said.
Administrative detention was first implemented in Palestine under the British Mandate and has since been adopted by Israel.
Many Palestinian prisoners have resorted to going on hunger strike to protest against the practice.