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Palestinians to kill 'death squad' that targeted anti-Arafat groups
The Palestinian Authority has decided to dismantle a security unit established to battle the Islamic opposition. PA officials said Prime Minister Ahmed Qurei has ordered the dismantling of the so-called "Death Squad." The squad, part of the Preventive Security Apparatus, was said to have operated in the Gaza Strip. During its seven years of operations, the PSA squad, officially termed the Gaza Security and Protection Unit, was never acknowledged by the PA. They said the squad used threats and violence against enemies of the former Yasser Arafat regime. The squad, commanded by Lt. Col. Nabil Tanous, was established to target Palestinian dissidents, particularly Hamas and Islamic Jihad. Officials said the squad was established in the late 1990s to direct the crackdown on Hamas and Islamic Jihad. Officials said the unit contained 70 officers. "The security and protection department has become a source of accusation and doubts," PSA chief Brig. Gen. Rashid Abu Shback said. "As a preventive security service we are keen to defend the rights of the citizen..."Posted by: Anonymoose 2004-11-30 |
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