Lebanese Authorities Release Activist Previously Detained Over Facebook Post
Arab World
Beirut - Asharq Al-Awsat
The Lebanese judiciary released on Monday activist Charbel Khoury hours after he was arrested over a statement he posted on social media against an advisor close to the Free Patriotic Movement. Last Saturday, Khoury was summoned by the Criminal Investigation Department for interrogation in light of a lawsuit filed against him by the FPM's economic advisor, Charbel Kordahi. In a recent post on his Facebook account, Khoury had criticized Kordahi, who has good ties with the head of the Free Patriotic Movement, MP Gebran Bassil. Mount Lebanon Public Prosecutor Judge Ghada Aoun ordered Khoury’s arrest after he refused to delete the tweet critical to the economic advisor. Following his release on Monday, the activist said, “I fear nothing. I will not delete statements posted on my account.” Khoury said the lawsuit against him was dropped "because of the October 17th uprising,” adding that he has no faith in the Lebanese judiciary. As Khoury was interrogated on Monday, several protesters rallied outside the Cybercrimes Bureau in support of his release. The Alternative Syndicate of Journalists had called for the protest in solidarity with Khoury against the arbitrary detention of an activist over anti-government posts on social media. Also, a massive social media campaign was organized in the past days to demand his release, using the hashtag, “No to Police Repression.” The activist was summoned during the weekend along with an online blogger, Gino Raidy, and journalist Dima Sadek. In Lebanon, activists, including lawyers, journalists, media personalities and writers, have faced physical attacks, arrest, psychological pressure and threats to their families.
from Asharq AL-awsat https://aawsat.com/english/home/article/2148541/lebanese-authorities-release-activist-previously-detained-over-facebook-post
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