A Lebanese man discharges his firearm into the air during a funeral in Beirut's Tariq al-Jadideh neighborhood in 2014. (Credit: Anwar Amro/AFP File)
BEIRUT — Lebanon's Intelligence Directorate arrested former MP Othman Alameddine on Saturday for firing a military weapon into the air in Minieh, North Lebanon, according to an official statement by the Lebanese Army. In the evening, Alameddine was released on bail and his case was transferred to the military court, reports our correspondent.
The army added that an investigation was launched under the supervision of the competent judiciary.
Alameddine reportedly fired the gun during a celebration.
In the afternoon, supporters of the former MP blocked an access to the highway at Minieh, on the road between Tripoli and Akkar, to protest his arrest, according to our correspondent. The protesters demanded Alameddine's immediate release.
Current MP for Minieh, Ahmad Kheir (Sunni, with ties to the Future Movement), contacted caretaker Prime Minister Najib Mikati to discuss the arrest and demanded Alameddine's immediate release. Kheir criticized the way the former parliamentarian was treated, although he voiced his agreement that no one is above the law.
Mikati promised to act quickly to settle the case.
Celebratory gunfire is common in Lebanon and regularly claims casualties.
After the May 15 legislative elections, several people, including children, were injured by stray bullets. Although the practice was criminalized in 2016 and penalties were strengthened in early 2021, it remains widespread.