Beirut, Lebanon – The Permanent Military Court in Beirut has set next Tuesday as the date for the start of the trial of artist Fadel Shaker in four different cases.
This comes about a month and a half after Shaker surrendered himself to the Lebanese authorities.
At the beginning of last October at the entrance to the Ain al-Hilweh camp in Sidon, southern Lebanon.
The main charges before the military court
The four cases before the military court involve serious charges.
It relates to national security and is about belonging to an armed organization.
Funding the group of Sheikh Ahmed al-Assir, possession of unlicensed weapons,
and undermining the authority and prestige of the state.
The opening session is expected to set the course for the trial in the coming weeks.
Where the indictments will be read and the defense position will be determined.
Parallel criminal process
In addition to the military cases, Fadel Shaker is facing a parallel legal path before the civil judiciary.
He had previously appeared before the head of the Beirut Criminal Court, Judge Bilal al-Dhanawi,
This is in a criminal lawsuit filed by Imam of Al-Quds Mosque,
Hilal Hammoud (an official of the “Resistance Brigades”).
This lawsuit includes charges of forming an armed gang and attempting
to kill him by shooting him in May 2013.
This case is considered a civil felony case
that is heard by the Criminal Court.
It is procedurally separate from the military court files.
The default judgments have lapsed
It is worth noting that Fadel Shaker’s surrender nullified all previous
default judgments issued against him.
This allows him to be retried in person
and enables him to defend himself.
This guarantees the conditions for a fair trial and the right
to confront the Lebanese judiciary.
The military body is expected to make
a decision in the early sessions.
The final charges under which Shaker will be prosecuted,
Especially with talk of reviewing evidence of funding and weapons.
