From the Jerusalem Post (via lgf):
In the first decision of its kind since he succeeded Yasser Arafat, Palestinian Authority Chairman Mahmoud Abbas has ratified death sentences against three Palestinians found guilty of “collaboration” with Israel.
It is not clear when the three men, whose identities were not revealed, will be executed by firing squad.
However, senior PA officials told The Jerusalem Post that the three were Gaza Strip residents who had been convicted of “high treason” for tipping off Israeli security forces about the whereabouts of wanted gunmen. […]
At least 51 Palestinians are on death row, including several suspected “collaborators.” Under pressure to crack down on an upsurge in crime and anarchy in PA-controlled areas, Abbas earlier this month instructed the mufti to quickly review the cases of the convicts so that the executions may be carried out as soon as possible.
Most of the death sentences were issued by the controversial “state security” courts in the Gaza Strip, which were dismantled two years ago after drawing sharp criticism from Palestinian human rights organizations and reformists. […]
“People convicted of ‘collaboration’ with Israel face extremely harsh treatment. Two were executed in January 2001. Amnesty International delegates were told that the Palestinian Authority had promised the European Union not to carry out any further executions. However, according to reports, at least 28 alleged collaborators have been killed by armed Palestinians in 2002.”
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