WORLD NEWS | Sun Nov 6, 2016 | 2:39pm EST

Palestinian president can revoke parliamentary immunity of opponents - court

By Nidal al-Mughrabi and Ali Sawafta | GAZA/RAMALLAH

The Palestinian Constitutional Court, a body set up months ago by President Mahmoud Abbas, ruled on Sunday that he can revoke the parliamentary immunity of lawmakers, a move that effectively allows him to sideline rivals.

A verdict issued on Sunday which was swiftly condemned by critics within Abbas's Fatah faction and Islamist rivals, upheld his decree from 2012 when he lifted the immunity of a major rival, Mohammad Dahlan, and expelled him from Fatah.

Gaza-born Dahlan is seen as a potential successor to Western-backed Abbas, 81. He now lives in self-imposed exile in Abu Dhabi as he would face corruption charges if he returned to the Palestinian territories.

"The Constitutional Court ... stated that President Abbas has full authority to cancel the immunity of any parliament member, when the legislative council is not convened," a statement published by official Palestinian news agency, WAFA, said.

Abbas opponents and analysts said the court's decision confirmed fears they raised when he formed the nine-judge panel in April, saying it would give him too much power and would effectively allow him to cancel the role of the Palestinian legislative council - the territory's parliament.

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