Hamas detains UK journalist for 15 days

Hamas officials said a British freelance journalist detained in Gazawill be held for 15 days, an unprecedented step against a foreigner since the Islamic militants seized Gaza in 2007.

By The Newsroom

Published 15th Feb 2010, 21:12 BST

Updated 15th Feb 2010, 21:12 BST

Documentary film-maker Paul Martin was detained on Sunday at a Gaza military tribunal where he was to testify on behalf of a local man

accused of collaborating with Israel, said Hamas Interior Ministry spokesman Ehab Ghussein.

He had just begun to speak when the prosecutor ordered police to arrest him, saying the Briton was wanted in the case, according to Ehab Jaber, the attorney for the Gaza man accused of collaborating.

"The policeman put the handcuffs on him, and took him out of the court to prison. They were rough with him," said Jaber, who witnessed the scene.

Ghussein said Martin, who has produced reports in the past for the BBC and The Times, is suspected of harming Gaza's security. He said the order to detain him for 15 days was based on a confession by a suspected collaborator with Israel – an apparent reference to the man on trial.

Martin has met with British consular officials since his arrest.