Press Release: Ramallah Magistrate Court Refers Article 150 of the Penal Code to the Constitutional Court in the Case of Attorney Mohannad Karajeh and Lawyers for Justice
The Ramallah Magistrate Court held its second session this Monday morning, April 20, 2026, in the trial of Attorney Mohannad Karajeh and the Lawyers for Justice group. The charges pertain to fabricated social media posts attributed to Attorney Karajeh and the group in late October of last year.During the session, the Court addressed a formal challenge submitted by the Defense Council regarding the unconstitutionality of Article 150 of the Penal Code No. 16 of 1960, which relates to the charge of “inciting sectarian strife.” The defense argued that this article violates Article 19 of the Palestinian Amended Basic Law and relevant international human rights conventions.In its ruling, the Court acknowledged that the aforementioned challenge addresses a fundamental constitutional issue concerning the compatibility of the penal text with constitutional guarantees of freedom of opinion and expression. Consequently, the Court found the challenge to be of a serious nature and granted the defense the statutory period to formally file the appeal before the Supreme Constitutional Court. To this end, the trial has been temporarily stayed pending the filing and adjudication of the constitutional challenge.Lawyers for Justice views this decision by the Magistrate Court as a positive step toward re-evaluating the strategy employed by the Public Prosecution and executive authorities. This strategy has long involved utilizing the aforementioned penal text to prosecute and detain activists and human rights defenders a practice that has impacted hundreds of citizens over recent years.In conclusion, the Group underscores the significance of the Magistrate Court’s decision at this juncture, especially as executive agencies continue to exercise repression under the guise of the law. The Group looks forward to the Constitutional Court granting this appeal the necessary deliberation, free from any external interference or influence, in order to uphold the legal and constitutional rights guaranteed by the Palestinian Basic Law.End.Lawyers for Justice Issued on April 20, 2026
Statement Issued by Lawyers for Justice Regarding the Continued Detention of Syndicalist Activist Mohammad Al-Arouri
Lawyers for Justice is monitoring with grave concern the continued detention of syndicalist activist Mohammad Al-Arouri for a period of two days pending investigation, pursuant to a decision issued by the Ramallah Magistrate Court. This detention persists despite his deteriorating health conditions and his advanced age of 76 years; he is currently being held by the Preventive Security Service.It is noted that Al-Arouri serves as a member of the General Secretariat of the General Federation of Palestinian Workers, a member of the Central Council of the FIDA Party, and a member of the Palestinian National Council of the PLO, and is recognized as a prominent syndicalist and national figure.The detention of Al-Arouri was executed on charges of “Defamation of Authority” in connection with posts published on “Facebook,” within a context that falls under the persecution of freedom of opinion and expression. The defense team from Lawyers for Justice submitted a motion for release on bail; however, the court decided to dismiss the application.Lawyers for Justice affirms that the detention of individuals on the basis of expressing an opinion or criticism, regardless of its intensity, constitutes a flagrant violation of the provisions of the Palestinian Amended Basic Law. Furthermore, it represents an infringement upon the international obligations of the State of Palestine, particularly the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights (ICCPR), which guarantees the freedom of opinion and expression.Accordingly, the Group demands the immediate release of activist Mohammad Al-Arouri, the cessation of all forms of prosecution based on the expression of opinion, and the assurance of respect for constitutional and international human rights standards. Lawyers for JusticeApril 21, 2026