Israeli court extends custody of senior Muslim leader Sheikh Raed Salah

Jerusalem, Aug 22 :  An Israeli court on Monday extended the arrest of a senior Muslim leader Sheikh Raed Salah until Thursday and he is expected to face charges of incitement.

The Rishon Lezion Magistrate's Court, south of Tel Aviv, said Salah will stay under custody until the State Prosecutor's Office submit the indictment, Xinhua news agency reported.

Salah's lawyer Khaled Zabarka confirmed the prosecutors' intention to press charges, while he denied claims of incitement, saying Salah's sermons are always within the freedom of speech.

Salah, a leader of the now-banned Northern Branch of the Islamic Movement, was arrested last week.

Israel outlawed his movement in November 2015, claiming it incited violence against Israel.

On January 17, he was released from jail after serving nine months for "incitement to violence" and "racism" during a 2007 rally against Israeli construction near the Al-Aqsa compound.

In the rally, he called on "all Muslims and Arabs to start an uprising in support of holy Jerusalem and the blessed Al-Aqsa Mosque."