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Asharq Al-Awsat Offices’ Ransackers Released | ASHARQ AL-AWSAT English Archive 2005 -2017
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Asharq Al-Awsat’s office in Beirut


Beirut-The Court of Appeal in Beirut ratified the ruling issued by Criminal Judge, Wael Sadeq, to release seven detainees for attacking Asharq Al-Awsat offices in Beirut, preventing journalists from exercising their work.

The attackers are Bilal Allaw, Hussein Ali Nassereddine, Mohammed Mahmoud Hirz, Hassan Qteish, Alaa Jamal Hussein and Pierre al-Hashash.

The Court of Appeal, headed by Judge Nada Dakroub, decided to release the detainees without paying a bail, except for Pierre Nicholas Abu Daher, who paid LL800,000 ($533) since, unlike the others, he did not appeal the decision.

The ransackers, who were detained for 10 days, will appear later before Sadeq for trial; whereas, Abbas Zahri, who is also involved in the attack, is expected to be trialed in absentia if he does not hand himself over.

It is worth mentioning that Zahri is believed to be close to Hezbollah.

Commenting on this verdict, Attorney Najib Khattar told Asharq Al-Awsat that the ruling does not end the case, and he confirmed that the trial will continue even if the attackers are not behind bars.

He added saying, “we will appeal the verdict and request severe punishment and longer period of imprisonment, and we will call for imposing higher fines during the trial sessions.”

The court discussed the appeal filed by Asharq Al-Awsat’s representative, Najib Khattar, who requested keeping the convicts in custody, and the appeal filed by the defendants’ lawyer Hasan Bazzi, who requested releasing them without paying any bail.