PALESTINIAN AUTHORITY. TOP CLERIC APPROVES PALESTINIAN EXECUTIONS

March 3, 2005: the Palestinian Authority is set to resume the execution of prisoners on death row, with at least five sentences due to be carried out in March.
Head Palestinian Muslim cleric Sheikh Akrima Sabri said he was reviewing a total of 51 death sentences at the request of PA president Mahmoud Abbas.
No execution will go ahead without a final green light from the Palestinian president, Mr Sabri said.
"Delaying the execution orders encouraged the phenomenon of revenge in the Palestinian community," Mr Sabri said.
"Revenge is absolutely forbidden by religion and people should not take the law into their own hands," he added.
Religious officials confirmed that the mufti had already recommended five of the prisoners be executed.
In carrying out these executions, the Palestinian Authority "will be sending a firm signal to the population which will contribute to the reestablishment of security," said court official Saeb al-Qidwa.
About half of the 51 cases are of alleged collaborators with Israel.
It is not known whether the five prisoners due to be executed are collaborators. (Sources: Bbc, 03/03/2005)