Later this month, two former Palestinian prisoners, who once faced serious charges, will share their experiences at the Detroit People’s Congress. They’ll discuss the so-called “convict struggle in Zionist prisons.”
One of them, Husam Shaheen, is 53 years old. He spent 20 years in an Israeli prison after being convicted for attempted murder back in 2004. Shaheen was released on February 1 during a prisoner exchange that followed the October 7 attacks.
Alongside him will be Omar Assaff, a 75-year-old former member of the Democratic Front for the Liberation of Palestine. The event, now in its second year, aims to allow attendees to hear firsthand about the hardships faced by prisoners.
Shaheen reportedly helped establish a militant cell of the Al-Aqsa Martyrs Brigade in JEBL Mukaber in 2002, claiming that he had been recruited and armed for an attack on Jerusalem. He was arrested in the West Bank in 2004 and sentenced to 27 years for murder and conspiracy.
His release came as part of an agreement that saw multiple prisoners freed in exchange for hostages taken by Hamas. Meanwhile, Assaff was detained in the West Bank during an incident following the October 7 attacks and was held for six months before his release.
In the past, Assaff has advocated for reform within the Palestinian Liberation Organization and currently holds a position on the executive committee of the Palestinian Popular Conference. This group has openly praised the recent attacks and the ongoing conflict with Israel.
Since his own release, Assaff has spoke out against the conditions faced by Palestinian prisoners in Israeli facilities. The Palestine People’s Assembly, which organized this upcoming event, has previously hosted other controversial figures, including members of groups involved in militant activities.
