Hamas releases senior Fatah sympathizer

The Hamas government has released the former director of Gaza's electric company, officials announced yesterday, six months after arresting him in a crackdown on political rivals in the wake of the Islamic militant group's takeover of the area.
Suleiman Abu Samhadana was arrested in July, weeks after Hamas routed the rival Fatah movement and seized power. Abu Samhadana, a Fatah sympathiser, was charged embezzlement.
The Hamas-controlled Interior Ministry said Abu Samhadana was freed on Monday. It said he paid a $100,000 (euro69,500) fine, and turned over a deed to two acres (.8 hectares) of property as bail.
In addition, two relatives promised to pay $200,000 (euro139,000) each if he flees Gaza.
A court date was not immediately set, and Abu Samhadana declined to speak to reporters after returning home.
Abu Samhadana was the first of dozens of senior government officials, judges and prosecutors rounded up by Hamas after the
takeover and also was the longest held. Most of the officials were released within days, although they lost their jobs and were replaced by Hamas sympathisers.