Gaza police break up demonstration over Sharek closure

Associated Press (5 December 2010)

Demonstrators say they were beaten and detained while trying to protest in front of the office of Sharek, a U.N.-funded group that provides youth services. Sharek was shut down by Hamas last week.

They say 12 protesters were arrested, and an Al-Jazeera TV crew was detained for about an hour.

The Hamas attorney general said he has opened a criminal investigation into Sharek.

Hamas police say the demonstration was illegal, and that an Al-Jazeera correspondent was suspected of supporting the group. Al-Jazeera declined comment.

Sunday's crackdown highlights how Hamas has clamped down on rivals since seizing power in Gaza in 2007.