Jailed journalist freed by Hamas (From Surrey Comet)

Jailed journalist freed by Hamas

11:32am Thursday 11th March 2010 in

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A British journalist detained in Gaza by Hamas has been released without charge today, the Foreign Office has confirmed.

Paul Martin was arrested on February 14 in a Gaza court where he was due to give evidence on behalf of a Palestinian militant charged with collaborating with Israel.

Hamas officials accused the reporter of being a security threat.

Speaking following his release, his wife Anne said: "We are extremely relieved that Paul has been released and pleased that the authorities responded to our appeals

"Paul is an experienced and highly-regarded foreign correspondent with 30 years experience. He is an innocent man who went into Gaza to testify in the trial of a Palestinian whom he had interviewed for a documentary."

Martin was the first foreigner to be arrested since Hamas seized Gaza in 2007.

After being freed he left Gaza via the Erez crossing into Israel accompanied by British diplomats.

A Hamas spokesman said he signed a pledge not to return to Gaza.