The first trial of a major intifada activist opened Wednesday with the reading of charges against Sheik Ahmed Yassin of Gaza, founder and leader of the Islamic fundamentalist Hamas movement.
Hamas has emerged as the major rival of the Palestine Liberation Organization for the loyalties of Palestinians in the West Bank and, particularly, the Gaza Strip. It is considered more ideologically militant and less willing to compromise than the PLO.
To avoid possible rioting by Yassin’s followers, the trial was moved from the regular military court in downtown Gaza to a building in an industrial zone between the Gaza Strip and Israel proper.
Yassin, who is confined to a wheelchair, was defiant and spoke freely to reporters while being rolled into the makeshift courtroom.
He heaped scorn on the Israeli plan for Palestinian elections in the territories and rejected charges that he was responsible for Hamas violence.
He admitted, through counsel, that he formed Hamas and is a member, but he insisted it is his duty “to fight the forces of the occupiers.”
The court charged Yassin with raising $500 million for the intifada and issuing religious edicts sanctioning the murder of Arabs thought to be collaborating with the Israeli authorities.
He was also accused of recruiting the terrorists who murdered two Israeli soldiers last year, Avi Sasportas, whose body was discovered, and Ilan Sa’adon, who is still missing.
The families of both men were in court. The Sa’adons repeatedly shouted at the defendant to tell them where their son’s body was, until the presiding judge threatened to have them removed.
The actual killers are believed to have fled the country long ago.
The trial, to be resumed at a later date, also was attended by observers from the International Red Cross.
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