Samaha in Detention at Military Court ahead of Final Verdict
The lawyers of former Information Minister Michel Samaha gave their closing arguments at the Military Court of Cassation on Thursday and the judge asked for a two-day deadline to issue his verdict in the terrorism case.
“Samaha will remain in detention at the Military Court pending the final verdict,” said his main lawyer Sakhr Hashem.
“The verdict will be issued today or tomorrow and we hope it satisfies everybody,” the attorney told reporters gathered outside the court following the final trial session.
Samaha, 67, was arrested in August 2012 and charged with attempting to carry out "terrorist acts" over allegations that he and Syrian security services chief Ali Mamluk transported explosives and planned attacks and assassinations of political and religious figures in Lebanon.
Samaha was sentenced in May 2015 to four-and-half years in prison, but in June the Military Court of Cassation nullified the verdict and ordered a retrial.
In January this year, he was released on bail from prison under a controversial ruling that has sent shockwaves across the country.
Under the 150 million Lebanese pounds ($100,000) bail conditions, Samaha was barred from leaving the country for at least one year, speaking to the press or using social media.
G.K.
M.T.
| Copyright © 2012 Naharnet.com. All Rights Reserved. | https://naharnet.com/stories/en/206495 |