Israel extends arrest of Jordanian-Canadian businessman, denies him lawyer

The Israel Security Agency, known in Hebrew as Shabak or Shin Bet, has arrested a Jordanian-Canadian millionaire businessman and held him for 12 days without permitting him to see a lawyer and extending his arrest until Sunday, on suspicion of his involvement in Hamas activity, reported daily Haaretz.

The 58-year-old Ibrahim Seyam was arrested upon his arrival at the Allenby Bridge crossing point between Jordan and Israel about two weeks ago with other Jordanian businessmen who were invited by Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas to attend a conference on developing the economy of the Palestinian Authority. Seyam's lawyer has appealed to the Supreme Court against the Israeli internal security service's refusal to let him meet with his client. The military court, meanwhile, extended his remand until Sunday, according to the Palestinian Information Center.

Both Jordan and Canada have protested Seyam's detention to the Israeli foreign ministry, particularly the fact that he has not been allowed to see an attorney.

The Palestinian Prisoners Center for Studies reported that Israeli occupation forces arrested 20 Palestinian traders at border crossings in the West Bank and Gaza Strip since the start of this year. The center urged the World Trade Organization and international institutions to protect Palestinian traders and release the detained ones.