Military Court Approves Release of Ex-Minister Samaha on Bail
The Military General Prosecution agreed on Thursday to release former Minister Michel Samaha on bail.
He will be released from detention on bail of 150 million Lebanese pounds.
The military court's decision also prohibits the former minister from traveling and making statements through various media.
Samaha's lawyer Sakher Hashem later told Voice of Lebanon radio (100.5): “My client will sleep at his house today.”
“The decision to release him cannot be appealed in any way,” he added.
Upon his return to his Ashrafieh residence, Samaha said: “I will respect court orders to refrain from making statements.”
“My presence in jail was part of politics and I will resume my political career,” he remarked.
Samaha's next court date is set for January 21.
Justice Minister Ashraf Rifi later condemned the military court's decision, saying that he will "carry out what his national duties demand him to do."
Samaha, 67, has been under arrest since August 2012 over allegations that he and Syrian security services chief Ali Mamluk transported explosives and planned attacks and assassinations of political and religious figures in Lebanon.
He pleaded guilty all charges against him during his trial that kicked off in April 2015, admitting that he had transported explosives from Syria for use in attacks in Lebanon.
But the former information minister said he had been the victim of entrapment because he was not aware that his co-conspirator was a Lebanese security services informer.
He was sentenced in May later that year to four-and-a-half years in prison.
Several politicians at the time condemned the light verdict.
Syria maintained a nearly 30-year presence in Lebanon, withdrawing its troops in 2005 after the assassination of former Prime Minister Rafik Hariri.
But a series of assassinations of prominent anti-Syrian regime figures in Lebanon followed the withdrawal.
The Lebanese judiciary has issued an arrest warrant for Mamluk and sent Syria a formal notification of the warrant and charges, but received no response.
M.T.
G.K.
over 9 years
Well..he was trying to fight Israel via bringing explosives and killing anti-Assad politicians so that only figures and followers of Iran remain in power. Basically indirectly helping Assad...
Hizbollah approved his release because they are/were doing the same exact thing in addition to money and building hospitals with the Iranian money
over 9 years
Agree with all of you. Yes, we have become a banana republic and shame on such Watan. Our judicial system stinks and the army needs to take over the whole country and cleanse it from all the scum.
over 9 years
Thanks for the compiments @m.i.s. Never paid attention to what they drive or what colleges their kids go to, however, I have paid a very good attention to what our priests own and drive! Have you?
over 9 years
The military court has just earned itself a star of shame.
over 9 years
how can the lebanese citizen have respect for the law anymore! This is a crime!
over 9 years
They don't and have not for the last 30 years. The laws apply only to law abiding citizens, all others (especially those with arms and foreign agendas) they are exempt.
over 9 years
"He pleaded guilty to all charges against him during his trial that kicked off in April 2015, admitting that he had transported explosives from Syria for use in attacks in Lebanon."
A scandal of immense proportions.
over 9 years
Jounoun. What a corrupt country! AYB! TFOOO!
The guy was ready to commit terrorist acts and maybe committed some in the past and they let him out on bail. This is shameful. Hezbollah rules Lebanon!
over 9 years
Pity this Nation
over 9 years
I fully expect Samaha to disappear under mysterious circumstances very soon. Congratulations Lebanon, you just qualified for the "Banana Republic 2016"-award.
over 9 years
That is, if we are a republic at all anymore. No President, just various leaders of clans/sects.
over 9 years
Lol lol lol lol lol..........
over 9 years
Seriously we are done with those Iranian minions. This country need to rebel against Hizb!
over 9 years
We will remember this historic day when this marked the end of this nation.
I dread what is next.
over 9 years
shamefull court , shameful politicians ..... you have earned a place in history for the most corrupt legal system in the world
over 9 years
You allow this syrian agent to come out of prison based on what ?? didn't he admit to bringing in bombs to lebanon to kill Lebanese ?i am beyond speechless and angry
over 9 years
Correction , he was a kataebi and he is not a Syrian , he is a traitor Lebanese selling his behind to bashoora
over 9 years
The poor criminal was set up by ashraf rifi who called bashar assad and ali mamlouk and asked them to load smaha's car with explosives and drive it to beirut. Rifi also unwillingly forced smaha to plot attacks on the batrak and other leading figures so as to cause strife....
over 9 years
*courtesy of the iranian troll
over 9 years
Another example of the complete disintegration of the Lebanese state and its judicial system.
over 9 years
quelle honte !!!!
over 9 years
and who said the military is not controlled by Hezbollah and its allies.
over 9 years
but according to the m8 trolling squad justice minister rifi controlled the judiciary!
over 9 years
but the military sentences a bearded man for being "salafi" to life Imprisonment of course after he confesses to belonging to a terrorist organization.
over 9 years
and he is remanded in custody without bail while smaha is set free on bail and can go home as if he committed a traffic offense. If you smoke a cigarette of hasheesh you will be given a minimum of 5 years but if you plot with a foreign country to blow up Lebanon you get less than 4 years. This is justice the military way.
over 9 years
Shows how much Syria has influence
over 9 years
He should have been sentenced to life or even more.... What a joke, what a message they have sent to the Lebanese, our poor Lebanon. Guys if they ever let us get to the ballot boxes please, please do not forget this shameful day that was the result of our votes. Peace.
What!!!