crack down on social media critics. Farid Atrash said it was "shameful'' that his client was arrested for exercising his right of free expression.

"They want to silence me and silence every voice defending human rights, but they are wrong. I will continue defending human rights and struggling against occupation,'' he said following his release from jail on Sunday. He denied any wrongdoing.

In jail last week, Amro began a hunger strike to protest what he said was an unlawful detention, made without a warrant or due process.

Following his release, Amro said he was verbally and physically abused during his investigation by Palestinian security.

Though he has been freed from jail for now, Amro's legal battles are only just starting.

Amro, a 35-year-old activist whose organization Youth Against Settlements protests against Israelisettlements in his hometown of Hebron, also faces charges at an Israeli military court for allegedly inciting violence and hindering soldiers during official duties. His trial is to resume in October.

Despite facing double-barrel legal battles for his political activities, Amro vows to press forward with what he says is a non-violent struggle.

"I know the law and never, ever violated it,'' he said. "I never incited for violence, I never incited against any official. I call for human rights.''

Amro's arrest by Palestinian security last week prompted rights groups to urge the Palestinian Authority to release him. Amnesty International condemned his arrest as "a shameless attack on freedom of expression.''

Last week nine members of U.S. Congress penned a letter to Abbas asking him to "immediately drop the baseless charges and