The Life and Death of Imad Omran: A Palestinian Prisoner’s Tragic Story
Last Friday, Imad Omran, a Palestinian who spent nearly 40 years in an Austrian prison, passed away in Krems. His life sentence stemmed from his involvement in the 1985 Vienna Airport operation, a terrorist attack that claimed two lives and injured 39 others. The assault targeted an Israeli airline, El Al, and was part of a broader conflict involving Palestinian factions.
Imad Omran, born in Kuwait in 1965 and holding Jordanian citizenship, was arrested after being injured during the attack. He was known by the alias “Tawfiq Shovali” during his time in Austria, concealing his identity from his family for over 15 years due to fears for their safety. His brother, Jalal Omran, recounted that he did not learn of Imad’s true identity until 2000, long after his brother's incarceration began.
A Life Marked by Conflict and Injustice
The 1985 attack was claimed by the Abu Nidal Organization, while the Palestine Liberation Organization (PLO) publicly condemned it, reflecting the internal strife within Palestinian factions at the time. Haitham Awartani, a Palestinian leader in Austria, explained that the Abu Nidal group aimed to implicate the PLO and divert attention from its own motives.
Imad's actions were reportedly fueled by a desire for revenge for the Sabra and Shatila massacre and to draw global attention to the plight of Palestinians. Despite being sentenced to life imprisonment, he faced additional legal hurdles that extended his sentence by 19 years after a failed escape attempt and threats against prison guards.
In his final years, Imad suffered from lung and liver cancer, which he attributed to medical negligence within the prison system. His brother described a harrowing lack of proper care, including days without food and inadequate medical attention. Tragically, just hours after a decision was made to release him, Imad Omran died, leaving behind a legacy intertwined with the complexities of Palestinian political struggles and the harsh realities of life in prison.
