An outspoken critic of the Palestinian Authority who had intended to run in parliamentary elections before they were canceled earlier this year died during his arrest by PA forces early Thursday, officials said.
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Nizar Banat was a harsh critic of the PA, which governs parts of Judea and Samaria, and had called on Western nations to cut off aid to it because of its growing authoritarianism and human rights violations.
In a brief statement, the Hebron governorate said his "health deteriorated" when Palestinian forces went to arrest him early Thursday. It said he was taken to a hospital where he was later pronounced dead.
His cousin, Ammar Banat, said around 25 Palestinian security forces stormed the home where Nizar was staying, blowing out doors and windows. They beat Nizar with an iron bar and sprayed pepper spray in his eyes before undressing him and dragging him away to a vehicle, Ammar told a local radio station, citing two other cousins who were present during the arrest.
