Hamas executes Gaza man convicted of murder
Hani Abu Aliyan, 28, hanged by the neck until dead in presence of victim’s family
GAZA CITY, Gaza Strip (AP) — Masked executioners in the Hamas-run Gaza Strip on Wednesday hanged a man who was convicted of stabbing to death an acquaintance over money, ignoring protests by human rights activists who say the territory’s legal system is flawed.
Hani Abu Aliyan, 28, was executed in a security compound in the presence of relatives of the victim, a first for a criminal case in Gaza. Previously, only security officials had witnessed executions.
At Wednesday’s execution, the 17th since Hamas overran Gaza six years ago, four masked security men escorted Abu Aliyan to a noose erected on a small platform surrounded by black plastic tarps. Abu Aliyan wore a hood, spoke to a cleric and uttered a Muslim prayer before he was hanged, a witness said.
Gaza’s Interior Ministry released pictures of the executioners and rows of armed security men, also masked, standing on the sides.
The family of the victim was informed of the impending execution late Tuesday, but only given details about the time and place shortly before it took place.
“They searched us and took our phones before escorting us to the area where the makeshift hanging stage was built,” a relative of the victim said. “They brought him in surrounded by security. He talked to the sheik before they took him for the hanging. After a few minutes, a doctor confirmed his death.”
The relative said it was difficult watching someone lose his life. “Then I told myself its divine justice. God is avenging the victims.”
