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Hamas release British journalist Hamas releases British journalist
(about 2 hours later)
The Palestinian Islamist movement Hamas has released a British journalist accused of espionage in the Gaza Strip.The Palestinian Islamist movement Hamas has released a British journalist accused of espionage in the Gaza Strip.
Paul Martin, a freelance journalist accused of "collaborating with Israel", was arrested on 15 February. Paul Martin, a freelance journalist accused by the movement of working for Israel was arrested on 15 February.
Hamas, who run the enclave, say he has been found guilty, but his lawyers still contest the charge. Hamas, which runs the enclave, has not filed any charge against him in court but said it was deporting him because it "believed him to be guilty".
He was arrested on his arrival in Gaza, where he was due to give evidence in the defence of a Palestinian man also accused of spying for Israel. Mr Martin's lawyer said the charges were "ridiculous" and strongly denied the accusations.
Mr Martin's family also strongly rejected Hamas's accusations, saying he was an innocent journalist.
"We are extremely relieved that Paul has been released and pleased that the authorities responded to our appeals," his wife Anne said.
He had gone to Gaza to give evidence in the defence of a Palestinian man he had interviewed, who had also been accused of spying for Israel.
"Paul has maintained his innocence throughout this ordeal," Mrs Martin said.
No charges were brought against Mr Martin in court, but he was made to leave the country on the orders of Hamas.
He has been forbidden from returning to Palestinian territory, including the West Bank, Hamas said.He has been forbidden from returning to Palestinian territory, including the West Bank, Hamas said.
'Found guilty' 'Defamation'
The journalist and film-maker was handed over to a delegation from the British consulate and driven in a diplomatic vehicle to the Erez crossing with Israel, the BBC's Gaza correspondent Jon Donnison says.The journalist and film-maker was handed over to a delegation from the British consulate and driven in a diplomatic vehicle to the Erez crossing with Israel, the BBC's Gaza correspondent Jon Donnison says.
Mr Martin was originally held for two weeks, Hamas then announced his detention would be extended to a month. Mr Martin was originally held for two weeks. Hamas then announced his detention would be extended to a month.
His lawyer, Sharhabeel al-Zaeem, maintained he is innocent of the allegations levelled against him. Senior Hamas leader Mahmud al-Zahar held a news conference to announce the release at his home in Gaza.
Senior Hamas leader Mahmud al-Zahar held a press conference to announce the release at his home in Gaza.
"After concluding the investigation, it was found that Paul Martin has been found guilty of being an agent for Israel," he said."After concluding the investigation, it was found that Paul Martin has been found guilty of being an agent for Israel," he said.
Mr Martin "was working on defaming the image of the Palestinian people by saying that they smuggle weapons through tunnels", the Associated Press reported.
He said Mr Martin was now barred from entering all Palestinian territory, although Hamas authority does not extend to the West Bank, which is run by the rival Fatah movement.He said Mr Martin was now barred from entering all Palestinian territory, although Hamas authority does not extend to the West Bank, which is run by the rival Fatah movement.
Hamas is the Palestinian militant Islamist organisation that took control of Gaza after winning elections there in 2007. Hamas is the Palestinian militant Islamist organisation that took control of Gaza in 2007 after winning elections there in 2006.