Lebanese Forces leader Samir Geagea in Meerab. (Credit: Chamoun Daher)
Military Tribunal Prosecutor Fadi Akiki filed a lawsuit against Lebanese Forces head Samir Geagea Tuesday in connection with the October 14, 2021 Tayyouneh clashes, Lebanese daily Annahar reported Thursday.
Here’s what we know:
• Akiki filed the lawsuit Tuesday “in light of new evidence,” Annahar reported, accusing Geagea of “multiple criminal offenses.” The lawsuit was reportedly received by investigating judge Fadi Sawwan. Geagea’s attorneys were said to have responded to Akiki the same day, claiming the judge’s complaint was illegal.
• In response to the suit, the Lebanese Forces issued a statement saying that defense attorneys in the Tayyouneh investigation had demanded Akiki recuse himself from the case and filed complaints against him on grounds of “multiple breaches,” the prosecutor had allegedly committed on March 16.
• The Lebanese Forces’ statement claimed that Akiki “deliberately avoided being notified of the recusal request to retain involvement in the investigation [into the Tayyouneh clashes].”
• The Lebanese Forces’ statement called on the head of the Supreme Judicial Council and the public prosecutor at the Court of Cassation to intervene, claiming that “certain political parties, specifically Hezbollah and the Free Patriotic Movement” are “systematically destroying justice and the judiciary” in order to “attack their political opponents.”
• Representatives of detainees held in connection with the clashes allegedly filed recusal requests at the court of appeals after Akiki “failed to register” their previous request.
• Prosecutor Fadi Akiki called Geagea in for questioning as part of the Tayyouneh clashes investigation on Oct. 25, prompting a number of political figures to express their support for the Lebanese Forces leader. Geagea missed his initial hearing and filed a complaint through his lawyer denouncing the summons as illegal.
• The Oct. 14 clashes left seven people dead and more than 30 people wounded.