![Image of Basel Ghattas, a member of the Israeli Knesset [arab48]](https://i0.wp.com/www.middleeastmonitor.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/12/2016_12_21-Basel-Ghattas-4.jpg?fit=1200%2C800&ssl=1)
A magistrate’s court denied today the request of the Israeli Attorney General to renew the house arrest order for MK and National Democratic Alliance leader Basel Ghattas.
The court held a hearing this afternoon to review the MK’s case, after which the Attorney General made a request for a 30-day extension of Ghattas’ house arrest order.
The initial house arrest order of ten days had ended and Ghattas was allowed to resume his right to vote in the Knesset.
Ghattas’ defence requested that the extension request be denied due to the fact that Ghattas cannot leave the country and has handed over his personal passport and does not represent a flight risk.
Ghattas’s diplomatic passport was also seized and he has been cooperative with the police since the beginning of his case, according to his defence team.
After hearing both sides, the judge said he sees no reason to continue to hold him and disturb his ability to serve in the Knesset, considering that he is banned from leaving the country and did not breach his house arrest.
Attorney General Avichai Mendelblit approved the indictment of Ghattas yesterday on charges of illegally smuggling phones into a prison, prohibited use of property for terrorist purposes, as well as deceit and breach of trust by a public servant and aggravated fraud.