Security Forces Boost Presence in Roumieh over Fears of Riots

Security forces stepped up security measures near Roumieh prison after obtaining information of riots inside and outside the facility amid reports that an escape attempt was thwarted.

The state-run National News Agency said that the heavy security deployment came in light of reports that the supporters and relatives of Islamist inmates intend to protest outside the facility, while prisoners will riot inside their cells.

Meanwhile, Voice of Lebanon radio (100.5) reported that prison guards thwarted an escape attempt by 15 inmates from Roumieh prison through a secret tunnel.

However, MTV channel said that the reports are plain rumors.

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

The reports come a day after the Judicial Council sentenced the Imam of the Amira mosque Sheikh Tarek Merhi to 15 years in jail without the possibility to appeal the ruling over his link to the Tall bombing in 2008.

Five others were sentenced to death and seven others to 10 years of hard labor.

Ten officers and three civilians were killed in the Tall attack against the army on August 13, 2008.

The militant group Fatah al-Islam was suspected of being behind the attacks.

Soon after the court verdict, demonstrations broke out in the northern city of Tripoli and protesters scuffled with the army.