WarSclerotic

Terrorist wanted by Israel killed inside Palestinian Embassy in Bulgaria Omar Zayed had fled to embassy to escape extradition; Palestinians say Israel assassinated him, while Jerusalem denies involvement

By Itamar Sharon February 26, 2016, 12:28 pm

Source: Terrorist wanted by Israel killed inside Palestinian Embassy in Bulgaria | The Times of Israel

Protesters outside the Bulgarian Embassy in London in January 2016 call on the Bulgarian government not to extradite Omar Nayef Zayed to Israel. (YouTube screen capture)

A fugitive Palestinian terrorist wanted by Israel was murdered in Bulgaria Friday morning, Palestinian media reported, in a killing some Palestinians have ascribed to the Jewish state, though Jerusalem denied involvement.

Omar Nayef Zayed, 52, was found dead in the yard of the Palestinian Embassy in Sofia, with some reports that he fell to his death. Paramedics were rushed to the embassy but were forced to declare Zayed dead at the scene. Palestinian officials in Ramallah confirmed that Zayed had been killed, and said they were investigating the circumstances of his death.

Four years after beginning his sentence, Zayed began a hunger strike and was moved to a mental health facility, from which he managed to escape. He then fled Israel and in 1994 arrived in Bulgaria. However, two months ago Israel asked Bulgarian authorities to extradite him. When Bulgarian police prepared to arrest him, Zayed sought sanctuary in the Palestinian Embassy.

According to a report on the Ynet news website, Israel, Bulgaria and Palestinian officials had been holding discussions since that time to facilitate Zayed’s surrender.

The Palestinian Authority’s minister of prisoner affairs, Issa Qaraqe, said Israel was behind Zayed’s death. PA President Mahmoud Abbas demanded a comprehensive probe.

The Israeli Foreign Ministry denied any involvement, saying Israel had first learned of Zayed’s death from the media.

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