JERUSALEM, Aug. 21 (Xinhua) -- An Israeli court extended Monday the arrest of a senior Muslim leader in Israel, Sheikh Raed Salah, until Thursday, when 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.
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 on Tuesday.
Israel outlawed his movement in November 2015, claiming it incited violence against Israel.
Salah has a history of clashes with Israeli authorities.
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."
