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BANKING CRISIS

Judge releases last two depositors involved in Hazmieh holdup

Judge releases last two depositors involved in Hazmieh holdup

An armed depositor holds a gun during a bank holdup in Hazmieh on Nov. 2, 2022. (Credit: Mohammad Yassine/OLJ/File)

BEIRUT — Mount Lebanon's first investigating judge Nicolas Mansour on Thursday ordered the release of the depositor Ali Sahili and Catherine al-Ali, both of whom were in custody at the Baabda courthouse for their involvement in the holdup of Crédit Libanais' branch in Hazmieh last week.

The decision comes two days after the release of lawyer and activist Rami Olleik and depositor Ibrahim Baydoun, both of whom were also involved in the operation.

Judge Mansour asked Sahili and al-Ali to pledge not to repeat their act, according to the state-run National News Agency. "But the two depositors categorically refused to sign such a commitment, unless the rest of their savings are fully returned to them in the currency of the account." 

During last Wednesday's holdup, the depositors managed to retrieve $55,924 of a total $195,000 in their accounts, according to Olleik. 

Olleik started a hunger strike immediately after his arrest and announced that he would continue until the release of the Sahili and al-Ali.

Since 2019, Lebanon plunged into an unprecedented economic crisis. Banks have imposed drastic and illegal restrictions, limiting withdrawals and transfers.

As a result, a wave of bank holdups — carried out by armed and unarmed depositors — has swept the country, with varying degrees of success. The holdups forced banks to temporarily close their doors on several occasions before reopening with heightened security measures.

BEIRUT — Mount Lebanon's first investigating judge Nicolas Mansour on Thursday ordered the release of the depositor Ali Sahili and Catherine al-Ali, both of whom were in custody at the Baabda courthouse for their involvement in the holdup of Crédit Libanais' branch in Hazmieh last week.The decision comes two days after the release of lawyer and activist Rami Olleik and depositor Ibrahim...