Journalist Saeed Al-Hessan Faces New Hearing on Foreign Agent, Terrorism Charges

A new hearing was held Thursday in the case of journalist Saeed Al-Hessan in Haifa's Central Court. Al-Hessan, a resident of Shfaram, has been on trial since last year for alleged "communication with a foreign agent" and "support for a terrorist organization" stemming from a media interview. His defense team presented evidence and witness testimonies during the session, arguing against the investigation methods and the charges themselves. Al-Hessan's lawyer, Nimir Idlbi, described the "communication with a foreign agent" charge as "unprecedented" and expressed hope for his client's acquittal.

Al-Hessan was arrested on February 25, 2025, after his home in Shfaram was raided and electronic devices were confiscated. The charges were formally filed on March 13, 2025, following an interview he conducted with Al-Aqsa Radio and TV. In May 2025, the court moved him to house arrest with restrictions, including being banned from his hometown of Shfaram and relocated to Kafr Manda.

Thursday's hearing saw the presence of activists and supporters. Murad Haddad, coordinator of the solidarity campaign for Al-Hessan, told "Arab 48" that the case "targets all journalists" and sets a dangerous precedent for prosecuting journalists over interviews. He warned that if this case isn't dismissed, it could lead to further persecution of Arab journalists for minor issues.