Samaha's Attorney Asks for his Release for 'Lack of Bloodshed'
The defense lawyer of former Information Minister Michel Samaha, who has been charged with plotting attacks and transporting explosives, called on Wednesday for his release, saying his crime was only based on plots.
In remarks to LBCI TV outside the military court in Beirut, Sakher Hashem said: “Samaha is accused of a crime in which there was no bloodshed.”
“We urge his release,” he said, adding he would appeal it or make a new request if the court rejected his demand.
Samaha's trial was last month postponed to December 3 because of the absence of his alleged co-conspirator Gen. Ali Mamlouk, a Syrian security chief.
Samaha had been expected to face the first session of his trial before the military court, but the judge overseeing the process, Brig.-Gen. Khalil Ibrahim, announced a delay so that Mamlouk can report to the court.
Samaha was arrested in August 2012, but Mamlouk -- one of Syria's most senior security officials -- is believed to be in Syria.
The two face charges of "transporting explosives from Syria to Lebanon in an attempt to assassinate Lebanese political and religious leaders.”
If convicted, they face the death penalty.
A Syrian colonel known only by his first name as Adnan has also plotted the attacks with them.
Investigators have said that explosives were found in Samaha's car.
According to the indictment, they were delivered by Adnan to Samaha in Syria with the approval of Mamlouk.
The Lebanese judiciary issued an arrest warrant for Mamlouk and Adnan and sent Syria a formal notification of the warrant and charges in February, but received no response.
In the event of a non-response, Lebanese law allows for the trial against Samaha to proceed with Mamlouk being tried in absentia, but the court has not so far suggested it would take that approach.
almost 11 years
walla lli sta7o meto !
so they should have let him proceed with his plans and kill innocent people so that he could be charged !
almost 11 years
OMG FT!! You're gettin' a green thumb from me!
almost 11 years
From me too :)
almost 11 years
I think the same lawyer Shaker Hashem should represent those recently arrested with nusra fatigues and call for their release since there was no bloodshed involved!
almost 11 years
hahaha good one eagle.
almost 11 years
lol @ eagledawn
almost 11 years
wow--can't believe with you.
almost 11 years
Taqiya Thrower, you are a joke.
Samaha is guilty for sure, but he is just a pawn, or delivery boy. The Assad regime is the guilty party, and your support for them is sickening.
almost 11 years
Read what? That you are in favor of convicting the patsy messenger boy?
Let's not be vague, which is your specialty. Samaha's confessions admit that the orders came from Assad. Tell me specifically if you condemn Assad for this, and whether he should be put on trial. Or are you going to pretend that Samaha acted on his own?
I expect another vague, non-committing reply from you.
almost 11 years
Yes of course, avoid the issue as usual. Let me spell it out for you again....
Tell me specifically if you condemn Assad for this, and whether he should be put on trial??
almost 11 years
Remind me to never use that lawyer if I ever need one. Possession of explosives with the proven intent to use goes beyond just intent Mr. Lawyer Jacko. Geez! If Samaha is released I am leaving the country for good.
almost 11 years
Agreed, somewhat. Such incompetence would be beyond comprehension, even for Lebanon.
almost 11 years
I think they're just trying to play for time.
almost 11 years
Mabrouk !!!! 17 votes FT !
So happy for you :) This shows that when you say something intelligent, you get UPVOTES.
Did you vote yourself up with 17 accounts or ask some friends ? I don't think so... I believe you truely earned them.
This shows how your conspiracy theory against Naharnet "Moderators" (LOL) is full of crap !!!!
Mabrouk and +1 from me ... you're at 18 now !
almost 11 years
'Lack of Bloodshed' this is the most absurd defense line I have ever heard from a lawyer. I think they should jail his lawyer for his stupidity…
almost 11 years
FT you are breaking a record.
almost 11 years
What his lawyer is advocating is that if someone is caught for a crime he is about to commit but is caught before the crime, he should be let free because the crime he intended to commit was caught before hand.
Only those whose crimes have been committed but have not been caught should be sent to jail.
What is the name of his attorney? He should be awarded a medal.
almost 11 years
lol
almost 11 years
I also have +1's your comment, but I do have one question for you and I know now you feel like you are being cornered but bare with me.
Samaha acquired the bombs and the instructions from key figures in the Syrian Assad Regime, if you agree that we should convict HIM and HIS lawyer what should we do about the Syrian regime? Surely you know that this is most likely not the first time they did this nor the last time, such an elaborate evil scheme to plant seeds of sectarianism in Lebanon couldn't have been the 1st time they thought or executed such a crime.
almost 11 years
His lawyer is an idiot. Since he got caught before anyone get killed, he should be released so he might succeed the second time. Then he can be guilty.
almost 11 years
Yea release him to be hanged it wont spell blood as well, along with his lawyer and his lawyer's father who has done more than samaha undercover and who is a better spy and more loyal dog than samaha
(Jamil el sayyed)
there was no bloodshed thanks to the soul of General Wissam el Hassan this Lebanese Knight who offered his life to unveil for the first time in Lebanese modern history Bachar/Mamlouk/Adnan/Samaha the traitor