Abu Ghida Issues Arrest Warrants against 5 Detainees over Abra Clashes

First Military Investigation Judge Riyad Abu Ghida on Thursday continued his interrogations over the clashes against the military institution in the southern town of Abra, issuing arrest warrants against five detainees.

"Abu Ghida questioned six detainees over their involvement in Abra's clashes and issued arrest warrants against five of them,” the state-run National News Agency reported.

The same source noted, however, that the sixth person was acquitted.

The NNA added: "Investigation in this case will resume on Monday.”

On Monday, Abu Ghida issued arrest warrants against five detainees involved in the southern city of Sidon's clashes.

And last week, the military judge issued eight arrest warrants against several fugitives, including Salafist cleric Ahmed al-Asir and former singer Fadel Shaker over the clashes in Sidon.

Meanwhile, State Commissioner to the Military Court Judge Saqr Saqr charged 27 suspects last week, 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.