CBNNews.com - RAMALLAH, West Bank - A 28-year-old former member of the PA's elite presidential guard became the eighth Palestinian to be sentenced to death by firing squad for alleged collaboration with Israel.

Palestinian Authority President Mahmoud Abbas, whose term in office expired on January 9, has not yet given his permission to carry out the executions.

The three-judge panel found the defendant guilty of collaborating with the enemy (Israel), which caused the death of one Palestinian gunman and the arrest of several others hiding out in the Church of the Nativity during Operation Defense Shield in the spring of 2002.

According to the defendant's attorney, PA officials tortured his client repeatedly during the interrogation.

The court also charged the defendant with providing information to the Shin Bet (General Security Agency) that led to the arrest of al-Aksa Martyrs Brigades commander Adnan Abayat and his deputy, Rateb Abayat.

The IDF (Israel Defense Forces) tracked down and arrested the two senior terrorists, who were hiding in a Bethlehem hospital.

They were tried, convicted and sentenced to life in prison.

Source: The Jerusalem Post