Army Command Says Pierre Hashash Arrested for 'Insulting Military Institution'
The Army Command said on Friday that the arrest of rap artist and the former candidate to the parliamentary elections Pierre Hashash came after “his statements offended the military institution and its members”.
“Hashash was arrested and questioned following statements he made on the eve of Independence Day,” the army' statement explained, adding that he “incited others to attack the military institution and tarnish its reputation on social networking websites”.
"Investigations have revealed that the detainee has outstanding charges against him and these are being examined by the competent court,” the army said, explaining why Hashash is still under arrest to this day.
Hashash was beaten up by the army intelligence squad and arrested on Wednesday following a post he wrote on his Facebook page in which he criticized a roundabout holding Army Commander's name “for causing traffic jam” in Batroun city, LBCI reported.
His statement was soon replaced with a picture showing his blood stains on the steps of al-Batroun Serail stairs.
"Pierre was beaten up by army officers and his head was bleeding when he got arrested,” Hashash's sister told LBCI.
“The Army Command is keen on preserving freedom of speech, but it will not tolerate any violations serving individuals at the expense of the higher national interest,” the army's statement expressed.
Hashash rose to fame in 2005 when he presented his candidacy for the parliamentary elections in Batroun and accompanied his nomination with a sarcastic PR campaign that gained wide media attention and coverage.
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