Marmarelli said that on 25 March, prison guards entered Barghouti's cell in Megiddo prison with a dog and forced him to the ground, where the dog repeatedly attacked him. The following day, Barghouti was assaulted during a transfer to Ganot prison. On 8 April, guards at Ganot prison beat him severely, left him bleeding for more than two hours, and denied requests for medical treatment, according to Marmarelli.
' Marmarelli added that the attacks reflect a broader deterioration in conditions for Palestinian prisoners, with guards acting with impunity. He noted that Barghouti, despite the abuse, remained mentally sharp and engaged with external events. Barghouti is often called Palestine's Nelson Mandela and is respected across Palestinian factions.
What is happening to Barghouti is exactly the same as what happened to me. The government tried to de-legitimise the African National Congress and its armed struggle by putting me on trial.
He was convicted of ordering attacks that killed civilians during the second intifada, but his trial was criticized as flawed by legal experts. According to The Guardian, Nelson Mandela reportedly described Barghouti's trial as a legal attack on a legitimate political struggle, comparing it to his own experience. International celebrities including Cate Blanchett, Bryan Adams, and Don Cheadle have added their names to a demand for Barghouti's release.
However, Israel has rejected repeated requests for his release during prisoner exchanges. Human rights organizations and a journalist's column report that Palestinian prisoners in Israeli custody are subjected to widespread and severe violence. Marmarelli said that in the current atmosphere, where Israel is emboldened in its abuse of prisoners, the only way to protect Barghouti is to secure his immediate release.
The lawyer's account underscores the urgency of international intervention, as Barghouti's health and safety remain at grave risk. Observers note that the escalating abuse mirrors a systemic pattern of mistreatment of Palestinian detainees, raising alarms among human rights advocates. Barghouti's case has become a focal point for calls to address prison conditions and the broader Israeli-Palestinian conflict.