AA / Tunis / Salim Boussaïd
A French nurse, Imane Maarifi, who spent two weeks in Gaza, from January 22 to February 5, and who had testified about Israeli atrocities committed in Gaza, was searched, arrested and taken into custody on Thursday.
The information was revealed by human rights associations and sparked widespread support for the nurse, including from MPs such as Thomas Portes, who demanded her immediate release.
“Imane Maarifi, a French nurse, who was in Gaza for two weeks at the European hospital in Khan Younès, has just been arrested by the police at her home,” wrote the France Insoumise MP.
“She is now in GAV [Garde à vue, NDLR]”We had received her at the National Assembly to listen to her testimony. She had described a terrifying humanitarian situation,” recalled the rebellious deputy.
“France continues to repress the voices of peace to cover up the genocide committed by the Israeli government. It must be immediately released,” he pleaded.
During the day this Thursday, nurse Imane Maarifi was able to see her lawyer, according to a video testimony from the New Popular Front MP, Ersilia Soudais, which she shared on her page on the “X” network, from the police station in the 8th arrondissement of Paris.
“I went (…) to the police station in the 8th arrondissement to ensure that Imane Maarifi’s custody conditions were “good”. She must be released!” declared the French MP, affirming that Imane Maarifi is an “extraordinary woman, full of humanism…”
“Imane Maarifi, a French nurse who spent two weeks in Gaza and denounces the horrors of the genocide in the media, was arrested at her home this morning and taken into custody. We demand her immediate release and denounce the government’s campaign of intimidation!” wrote “Révolution permanente”, a non-profit non-governmental organization on its website “www.revolutionpermanente.fr”.
“This new, completely scandalous arrest is part of the repression of all support for Palestine at a time when the genocide continues, and several months after a resurgence of the solidarity movement, particularly in universities, following the bombings of Rafah. Today, the government and institutions continue their intimidation of any pro-Palestinian speech,” the NGO reported in an article published on Thursday, September 5.
“In videos she filmed on her phone, she shows overcrowded corridors, minimal equipment for delicate operations, the cries of children treated on the floor and without anesthesia due to lack of space… “It’s inhumane, we wouldn’t even treat animals like that,” the NGO explained, quoting Imane Maarifi.
The arrest of this French nurse did not receive much coverage in the French press and the authorities did not give any explanation for her arrest.
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