JERUSALEM (Ma’an) -- Israeli forces released the Palestinian Authority minister of public works and deputy minister of information after detaining them in occupied East Jerusalem, an official said Thursday.

Maher Ghnaim and Mahmoud Khalifeh were treated poorly and their diplomatic papers were ignored, said Nasr Abu Foul, the Palestinian representative in the International Federation of Journalists.

Abu Foul said the men were given orders banning them from meetings in Jerusalem without Israeli coordination.

An Israeli police spokesman did not return calls.

Earlier, the PA's deputy prisoners minister said the men were taken to the Russian compound and a legal team had been dispatched to help secure their release.