Report: Block 'D' Inmates Mobilizing to Stage Riot

Inmates at Roumieh prison are reportedly mobilizing to stage a riot at the facility in less than two weeks to protest the firm measures imposed by security forces and to reveal to the public the alleged injustice they are being treated with.

According to al-Akhbar newspaper published on Tuesday, the prisoners have several tools to carry out a “dangerous riot” despite the incapability of their relatives to smuggle sharp instruments.

The newspaper said that the rehabilitation of Roumieh's block “D” granted various substitutes to the inmates, starting with bath seats, which are made of porcelain and electric ventilation fans, pointing out that the prison's weakest point is the knowledge that one key is used to open the cells of each floor.

Relatives of inmates told the newspaper that strict measures are implemented on 1,100 prisoners, who are locked up on three floors in block “D”.

They noted that the visits became limited to once per week, where the families could only talk to the inmates via intercom systems.

The relatives are also banned from giving food to the prisoners.

The measures compelled around 800 inmates to start a hunger strike in February but it didn't lead to the desired results, causing them to stop attending their trials.

In January, security forces took full control of Roumieh prison's block B after storming the overcrowded facility and seizing illegal items from Islamist prisoners.

Prisoners were all transferred to block D, which has been renovated and has better security.

There were around 190 Fatah al-Islam prisoners at the notorious prison's block B, which was known as a virtual no-go zone for security forces, where prisoners had access to laptops, phones and money.

Roumieh, the oldest and largest of Lebanon's overcrowded prisons, has witnessed sporadic prison breaks in recent years and escalating riots in recent years as inmates living in poor conditions demand better treatment.

H.K.

G.K.