Sit-in in solidarity with photojournalist Hasan Shaaban: objective truth is a right

BEIRUT — A sit-in was held in front of the Interior Ministry in Beirut, organized by the Alternative Press Syndicate, in solidarity with the photojournalist Hasan Shaaban after several threats he has received since August for covering protests in his hometown of Beit Yahoun in the southern Lebanon district of Nabatieh.

Opposition Member of Parliament Halimé El Kaakour was present at the protest and told L’Orient Today that the truth is scaring the authorities. “As representatives of the state, it is our duty to protect the freedom of speech,” adding that as long as any journalist is abiding the Lebanese law “they should be able to say whatever they want.”

Kaakour noted that one of the keys to solving the problems the country is facing is the need for citizens and journalists to speak up.

Shaaban found a bottle of fuel and an electronic device under his car near the back tire on Thursday, claiming that it appeared to be a threat to set his car on fire. Unknown assailants also slashed his car tire on Aug. 14 and threatened to make him leave his hometown village. A paper was stuck on his tire that said: “Leave this village. Collaborator. Dog.” On Aug. 4, he found a bullet placed on his car window.   

On Aug. 3, Shaaban had said that a group of individuals, believed to be Hezbollah supporters, physically attacked him because of videos and posts on social media about a group of residents of his hometown during a demonstration against water shortages.

Jad Shahrour, Communication Officer at the Samir Kassir Foundation told L’Orient Today that Shaaban had not posted his opinion along with the photos, he conveyed the image objectively as it is, “and it’s the right of any citizen to have access to the objective truth.”