Maher Meqdad Leaves Jail as Military Court Releases Him on Bail

The spokesman of the military wing of the Meqdad clan was released from jail on Saturday, the National News Agency reported.

“Maher al-Meqdad was released on condition he does not leave the country,” the NNA said, explaining that Military Tribunal Judge Imad al-Zein has issued a decision to let him leave the prison after paying a bail of 12 Million liras.

The NNA said: “Judge al-Zein received on Saturday from the General Prosecution claims against 47 people for committing different violations and among them was Meqdad's name.”

Zein agreed to release Meqdad on bail after questioning him for more than one hour, the news agency remarked.

Several other members of the Maqdad family were arrested in September during raids on Beirut's southern suburbs and other areas.

The raids came after the clan went on an abduction spree of Syrians and Turkish nationals to avenge the kidnapping of family member Hassan al-Meqdad in Damascus in August.

The clan claimed responsibility for the kidnapping of more than 20 Syrians and a Turkish national.