Demonstrators blocking the road in front of the Military Tribunal in Beirut on Monday to demand the release of activist Elie Haykal. (Credit: Mohammad Yassine/L'Orient Today)
BEIRUT — Dozens of demonstrators gathered Monday in front of the military court in Beirut and the house of judge Fadi Akiki to demand the release of Elie Haykal, who has been detained since last Wednesday on charges of allegedly assaulting a police officer during a protest.
Here's what we know:
• The protesters blocked traffic outside the courthouse with dumpsters before marching to Akiki’s house in Badaro to demand Haykal’s release.
• Haykal was arrested last Wednesday for allegedly not responding to a summons issued to him after he allegedly assaulted a member of the Internal Security Forces during a demonstration outside the headquarters of the Economy Ministry last June.
• Haykal has denied the allegations, claiming to have received no summons and denying that he assaulted an officer. He said he voluntarily appeared before the military court.
• His lawyer, Ralph Tannous, said the military investigating judge accepted a release on bail, but Akiki refused to release him and sent the file to the Military Court of Cassation.