More than 200 celebrities, including Benedict Cumberbatchthe Spanish actor Javier Bardemthe French writer and Nobel Prize winner Annie Ernauxand the singer Stingcalled on Wednesday in an open letter for the release of Marwan BarghoutiPalestinian leader imprisoned in Israel since 2002.
Marwan Barghouti66 years old and former leader of Fatahadvocates a political resolution to the Israeli-Palestinian conflict.
Sometimes nicknamed by his followers as the “Palestinian Mandela“, is known for his fight against corruption.
He is also cited as a possible successor to the Palestinian president. Mahmoud Abbas.
The open letter, to which AFP had access, in addition to Benedict Cumberbatch, brings together movie stars such as Josh O’Connor y Justine Triet.
In addition to musicians such as the Irish rock group DC Fountains y Sting.
The successful writers Sally Rooney y Margaret Atwood They also showed their support, like the former soccer players Eric Cantona y Gary Lineker.
“We express our deep concern at the continued detention of Marwan Barghoutithe mistreatment he suffers and the denial of his legal rights in prison,” they wrote in the letter, in which they ask “the United Nations and the governments of the world to work actively” for his release.
This initiative is part of the international campaign “Free Marwan“, launched by his family. Most of the signatories had already spoken publicly in favor of the end of the war in the Gaza Strip.
A Marwan Barghouti He was sentenced to five life sentences by an Israeli court.
The same one that found him guilty of participating in deadly attacks during the second intifada (2000-2005).
Israel has refused to release him as part of the prisoner exchanges that have taken place since the start of the war in Gaza.
Conflict unleashed after the attack Hamas contra Israel on October 7, 2023.
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