Search warrants issued for two involved in Raouche Rock illumination
State Prosecutor Jamal al-Hajjar on Wednesday issued search and investigations warrants for two people involved in Raouche Rock’s illumination after they refused to appear before interrogators, the state-run National News Agency reported.
Hezbollah supporters have projected images of slain leaders Sayyed Hassan Nasrallah and Sayyed Hashem Safieddine onto the iconic rock in Beirut despite government opposition and the party's lack of official authorization.
The move stirred controversy and division in recent days, with Prime Minister Nawaf Salam urging local authorities to prevent any unauthorized usage of landmarks.
A Lebanese official told AFP on condition of anonymity that Hezbollah had "obtained the authorization" of the local authorities for the gathering on the Raouche seaside corniche "but without illuminating the rock."
In a statement Thursday, Salam said the organizers had "clearly violated the accord" with the local authorities, adding that he had requested the perpetrators' arrest.
A Hezbollah representative confirmed to AFP that the organizers had only requested permission for the gathering.
He said it was unclear which agency had authority to give permission for the light show on the rock and that they considered it was covered by "freedom of expression" under Lebanon's constitution.
The event was a show of force by the Shiite militant group and political party, which suffered serious blows in last year's war with Israel and has been under domestic and international pressure to give up its remaining arsenal since then.
Interior Minister Ahmad al-Hajjar has said that it was not possible to halt the rock illumination activity due to the huge number of Hezbollah supporters who attended the event.
Source: Naharnet
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