Rifi Rejects 'Arbitrary Arrest of Any Religious or Bearded Man'

Minister of Justice Ashraf Rifi on Saturday called for “the release of those who did not fight the army” in the clashes in Tripoli and the north last month, rejecting “the arbitrary arrest of any religious or bearded man.”

Rifi, who toured in Bab al-Tabbaneh where the clashes began between the army and armed groups, stressed on “the importance of canceling the military court and the judicial council or modifying it's laws.”

"Every self-respecting countries has abolished the exceptional courts and the trials to one level,” he added.

“The verdicts issued by the military court are bias and this is rejected.”

Rifi explained: “The trials in the military court should not begin from prejudgments and we are citizens just like all the other citizens and all the citizens should be treated equally and put under the laws.”

"I've inspected al-Tabbaneh neighborhoods and listened to the pain of the citizens, due to the arbitrary arresting their children and the destruction of their homes and stores,” added Rifi.

“They deeply hurt since a large number of young people, who were not involved in the clashes against the army, were arrested. "

He also stressed: “As the minister of justice I will give priority to this case and I will talk with the army commander who is thanked for his position, where he declared that the citizens of Tripoli and the Bab al-Tabbaneh are not terrorists and they were beside the army.”

Moreover, he insisted that, “those who did not fight the army should be immediately released to his parents.”

Rifi rejected “accusing or arresting any religious or bearded person, and in Tripoli we are proud of our religiousness and our commitment to it.”

Concerning the compensations, the minister of justice said: “We conducted in the Cabinet several decrees concerning the payment of compensation to those affected in the recent rounds of violence and clashes between militants and the army.”

But he stressed that "the area needs a lot of developments from schools to hospitals and open up job opportunities for our young people by encouraging the establishment of laboratories and factories for our children, to live in dignity and heyday.”

The clashes that Tripoli witnessed and specifically in Bab al-Tabbaneh neighborhood transformed this impoverished neighborhood into an afflicted one. Leader of al-Mostaqbal Movement Saad al-Hariri donated a grant to the city to compensate for those affected by the clashes.

"Tripoli proved that it is with the government and its legitimate institutions, mainly the army, but the government should prove that it is with Tripoli and embrace its citizens and go into its neighborhoods with development and vital projects, not with iron and fire.”

While the army continues with its military operations in Tripoli and the north and carries out raids during which many people are bring arrested.

Z.A.