Sami Abu Samhadanah, a 29-year-old journalist and translator from Rafah Refugee Camp in the Gaza Strip, has been detained almost continuously without charge or trial since September 1985. He is currently serving a six-month administrative detention issued on 24 August 1992 after a deportation order against him was cancelled. Sami Abu Samhadanah was first arrested on 27 June 1981 and convicted of membership of an illegal organization; he was released on 26 June 1984. On 29 November 1984 he was detained and held for 15 days. A string of administrative detention orders began on 12 September 1985; the detentions were either renewed on expiry or he was rearrested shortly after release. AI is concerned that no evidence of his alleged activities has been provided by the authorities.
