Lebanon's Michel Samaha sentenced to 13 years in jail
Lebanon's Michel Samaha sentenced to 13 years in jail
A new verdict on the former information minister's terror conviction has delivered a heftier sentence to the bomb-smuggling assassination-plotter branded a 'traitor' to Lebanon.
2 min read
The former information minister had previously been convicted of terrorism charges in 2015 [AFP]
Former Lebanese information minister Michel Samaha was on Friday sentenced to 13 years in prison by a Beirut court, following a case related to "terror offences".
This verdict will see the former minister serve a total of 9 years and nine months behind bars, as a prison year in Lebanon is equivalent to nine months.
Samaha was taken back into custody by authorities on Thursday, after officials said that he posed a threat to Lebanon's national security.
After the arrest, Lebanon's military court declared it would be issuing a new verdict in Samaha's case, which related to the smuggling of bombs and planning assasinations, within 48 hours.
Following the verdict, Lebanese celebrities and others have expressed their relief at the decision to imprison a man many consider a "traitor" to his country and his closeness to Syrian authorities.
Among those who took to social media to express their joy was Lebanese singer Ellisar Zakaria Khoury, known to fans simply as Elissa.
"So relieved that justice brought Michel Samaha back to prison", the 44-year-old tweeted.
"Let this be a lesson to every traitor and God bless Lebanon."
Samaha, 67, was initially arrested in August 2012 and charged with attempting to commit "terrorist acts".
The former information minister and close ally of Syrian President Bashar al-Assad has maintained his innocence, and again pleaded innocent on Thursday.
In May 2015, Samaha was convicted of the terrorism charges when he received a relatively light four and a half year incarceration.
Public outrage at the lenient decision forced the military court to revoke the sentence. Samaha was then released on bail, which was followed by a lengthy retrial that ended with today's verdict.
It is unclear whether today's sentence of thirteen years will take into account the time already served by Samaha on his previous conviction. Analysts say he will likely serve eight years behind bars.
This verdict will see the former minister serve a total of 9 years and nine months behind bars, as a prison year in Lebanon is equivalent to nine months.
Samaha was taken back into custody by authorities on Thursday, after officials said that he posed a threat to Lebanon's national security.
After the arrest, Lebanon's military court declared it would be issuing a new verdict in Samaha's case, which related to the smuggling of bombs and planning assasinations, within 48 hours.
Following the verdict, Lebanese celebrities and others have expressed their relief at the decision to imprison a man many consider a "traitor" to his country and his closeness to Syrian authorities.
Among those who took to social media to express their joy was Lebanese singer Ellisar Zakaria Khoury, known to fans simply as Elissa.
"So relieved that justice brought Michel Samaha back to prison", the 44-year-old tweeted.
"Let this be a lesson to every traitor and God bless Lebanon."
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| Read more: Release of bomb-smuggling Lebanese politician 'encourages terrorism' |
Samaha, 67, was initially arrested in August 2012 and charged with attempting to commit "terrorist acts".
The former information minister and close ally of Syrian President Bashar al-Assad has maintained his innocence, and again pleaded innocent on Thursday.
In May 2015, Samaha was convicted of the terrorism charges when he received a relatively light four and a half year incarceration.
Public outrage at the lenient decision forced the military court to revoke the sentence. Samaha was then released on bail, which was followed by a lengthy retrial that ended with today's verdict.
It is unclear whether today's sentence of thirteen years will take into account the time already served by Samaha on his previous conviction. Analysts say he will likely serve eight years behind bars.
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