Source: Xinhua, 31-8-2007
GAZA - Mahmoud al-Zahhar, a prominent leader of the Islamic Resistance Movement (Hamas), showed on Tuesday documents verifying that President Mahmoud Abbas` Palestinian National Authority (PNA) is corrupted.
Al-Zahhar, showing dozens of documents to verify real and serious financial corruption during a news conference, said that "the documents show that huge amounts of money were paid to officials and to their children who studied abroad."
The documents were signed by senior officials in Abbas` authority.
Al-Zahhar said after showing "all these clear documents, I`m still surprised why Abbas insists to bring the situation back to the Gaza Strip before Hamas took control of it in June 14."
"The documents also show that the PNA always rejected to employ people known of their affiliation to Hamas," he said.
Among the corrupted officials, al-Zahar said, are Salam Fayyad, current prime minister of the caretaker government as well as Abbas` security aide Mohamed Dahlan and his deputy Rashid Abu Shbak.
Following heavy armed clashes between Hamas and its rival Fatah movement on June 14, Hamas took control of all police and security headquarters in the Gaza Strip and stormed Fatah leaders` homes.
Hamas militants confiscated the documents and said they are evidence to prove how corrupted the PNA and people around Abbas were corrupted.
They also said that the documents are a treasure of information that decries the PNA.
Al-Zahar also accused the PNA for cooperating with international parties to tighten the siege imposed on the Palestinian people after Hamas won the last legislative elections held in January 2006.