Army Officers Involved in Abdul Wahed Case Released on Bail

Three Lebanese Army officers, who were arrested over the shooting on Sunni Sheikh Ahmed Abdul Wahed and his companion in the northern district of Akkar in May, were released on bail.

The National News Agency said Friday the Military Court of Cassation's head, Judge Elias Nayfeh, ordered the release of the officers on LL300,000 bail each.

Military examining magistrate Judge Riyad Abu Ghida issued arrest warrants against the three officers in July almost a week after their release along with eight soldiers.

They were arrested over the killing of Abdul Wahed and Sheikh Mohammed Merheb at the army checkpoint in the Akkar town of al-Kweikhat.

The case has stirred controversy as several protesters have blocked roads in Akkar and official figures, including al-Mustaqbal bloc MP Khaled al-Daher, called for referring the case to the Judicial Council.

Al-Daher even threatened civil disobedience, including sit-ins near the Grand Serail and Premier Najib Miqati’s residence, should the government keep the case in the hands of the military court.

But the government sought to limit the growing unrest in the North and appeased the protestors by tasking Justice Minister Shakib Qortbawi with asking General Prosecutor Said Mirza to directly supervise the investigations and report back to the cabinet.

The relatives of the officers also blocked the Sarba-Jounieh road near an army barracks north of Beirut to protest the arrest warrants issued against them for the second time in July.