Abu Ghida Questions 6 Detainees over Abra Clashes, Acquits One

First Military Investigation Judge Riyad Abu Ghida questioned on Monday six detainees for their involvement in last June's clashes in the southern town of Abra against the military institution.

"Abu Ghida interrogated six detainees and issued arrest warrants against 5 of them,” the state-run National News Agency reported.

The same source added: “Meanwhile, the sixth person was released.”

"Investigation in this case will resume on Tuesday.”

On Wednesday, the military judge issued eight arrest warrants against fugitives, including Salafist cleric Ahmed al-Asir and former singer Fadel Shaker over the clashes in the southern city of Sidon.

And on Tuesday, he issued arrest warrants against six other suspects.

The total number of arrest warrants issued so far has reached 25.

Last week, State Commissioner to the Military Court Judge Saqr Saqr charged 27 suspects, 10 of them in absentia, over the clashes against the Lebanese army in the southern port city.

If convicted, the suspects face the death penalty.

The fighting near Sidon was sparked late last month when Asir's supporters opened fire on an army checkpoint, leaving around 18 soldiers and more than 20 gunmen dead.

The gunbattles concentrated in the area of Bilal Bin Rabah Mosque and nearby buildings in Abra.

Asir, a 45-year-old cleric who supports the overwhelmingly Sunni rebels fighting to topple Syrian President Bashar Assad, is no where to be found along with Shaker.

Asir teamed up with Shaker, a onetime prominent singer, when around two years ago he began agitating for Hizbullah to disarm.