Israel's Prisons Authority sought today to hold Palestinian uprising leader Marwan Barghouthi in isolation for another six months, saying it would limit his ability to direct attacks from behind bars.
A Prisons Authority official said Mr Barghouthi had not stopped "his terrorist activity" since arrested by Israeli commandos in the West Bank last year. He is on trial accused of orchestrating Palestinian attacks that killed 26 people.
Mr Barghouthi (43), has denied the charges against him and accuses Israel of mounting a political show trial. A verdict is pending and he would face life in prison if convicted.
He has been held isolated from other prisoners in an Israeli jail for the past year. The Prisons Authority asked a today to order his detention in isolation for a further six months.
"The reason for the isolation is to minimise the possibility that he direct terror attacks when he is behind bars," the official said.
Mr Barghouthi is considered a potential successor to President Yasser Arafat and his popularity among Palestinians has increased since his public trial began.
He was widely credited with playing a role from his prison cell in a truce announced by Palestinian militant groups last June that later fell apart.