Clowns, jugglers, stilt-walkers, a fire artist and acrobats from Amnesty International performed outside the Israeli embassy in London to protest against the arrest and detention without charges or trial of 23 year old Mohammad Abu Sakha, a performer and trainer with the Palestinian Circus School, training children in circus acts - especially children with learning difficulties - who was detained by Israeli soldiers at a checkpoint on 14 December on his way from his parents’ home in the occupied West Bank city of Jenin to work at the circus school in Birzeit near the city of Ramallah. Friends and relatives of Abu Bakar are increasingly concerned for his safety, as they are not allowed to see or speak to him. Israel authorities - who claim that the circus clown poses "a security risk to the region" - have placed Abu Sakha under “administrative detention” orders and he is being denied the right to defend himself. Any evidence used to justify his detention is withheld from both Abu Sakha and his lawyers. The Palestinian Circus School denies that Abu Sakha is in any way a threat, saying his only crime is “making children happy” and insists that his life is dedicated to the circus.

Amnesty International clowns call for the release of Palestinian clown Mohammad Abu Sakha

London, UK. 14 March, 2016. Clowns, jugglers, stilt-walkers, a fire artist and acrobats from Amnesty International performed outside the Israeli embassy in London to protest against the arrest and detention without charges or trial of 23 year old Mohammad Abu Sakha, a performer and trainer with the Palestinian Circus School, training children in circus acts – especially children with learning difficulties – who was detained by Israeli soldiers at a checkpoint on 14 December on his way from his parents’ home in the occupied West Bank city of Jenin to work at the circus school in Birzeit near the city of Ramallah. Friends and relatives of Abu Bakar are increasingly concerned for his safety, as they are not allowed to see or speak to him.

 

Israel authorities – who claim that the circus clown poses “a security risk to the region” – have placed Abu Sakha under “administrative detention” orders and he is being denied the right to defend himself. Any evidence used to justify his detention is withheld from both Abu Sakha and his lawyers. The Palestinian Circus School denies that Abu Sakha is in any way a threat, saying his only crime is “making children happy” and insists that his life is dedicated to the circus.

Photographer: Pete Riches\ Images Live