Arafat ‘successor’ faces life in jail

MARWAN BARGHOUTI, the Palestinian uprising leader seen as a successor to Yasser Arafat, faces life in an Israeli prison after being convicted yesterday of ordering shootings that killed four Israelis and a Greek monk.

The Tel Aviv District Court convicted Barghouti of murder and membership in a terrorist organisation. The prosecution asked the court for five consecutive life terms. Sentencing is set for June 6.

However, the panel of three judges cleared Barghouti of responsibility for 21 other deaths.