Palestinian police disperse protest

RAMALLAH, Palestinian Territories: Palestinian security forces used tear gas and batons to disperse a protest on Sunday at a court involved in the case of five Palestinians, including one recently killed by Israeli forces, activists and lawyers said.

The crowd dispersed included journalists and activists while the protest in the Palestinian political capital Ramallah had been peaceful, a group of human rights organisations said in a statement.

Police said protesters had "blocked the road in front of the court" and that "they refused to comply when security forces ordered them to clear the way".

"Forces then deployed in accordance with the law," they said.

Bassel al-Aaraj, 31, was killed on March 5 by Israeli soldiers in Ramallah.

According to the Israeli army, he opened fire at soldiers who came to arrest him at his home and was shot dead.

Palestinian cities such as Ramallah in the occupied West Bank are meant to be under Palestinian security control, though Israeli forces regularly carry out raids there.

Aaraj was involved in both protests against Israel´s occupation of the West Bank as well as the Palestinian leadership.

He was wanted by the Israelis, but had also been detained for several months by the Palestinian Authority with four others for illegal possession of arms and endangering the lives of others.  Israel accused him of being the head of a cell planning attacks against Israel.