William Noun released on house arrest bond

State Security in Lebanon on Saturday afternoon released on house arrest bond William Noun, spokesman for one of the groups representing the relatives of the victims of the Beirut port explosion, at the request of Zaher Hamadeh, the public prosecutor at the Court of Appeal in Beirut, the state-run National News Agency reported.

Noun's detention had provoked anger and mobilized street protests from Friday night.

As soon as he was released, Noun left the Ramlet al-Baida barracks, without speaking to the press, a law enforcement officer confirmed to our reporter Lyana Alameddine.

Shortly after, from the fire station in Karantina, William Noun assured that he will continue to fight "as long as the investigation is obstructed."

He also called on "the judiciary to assume its responsibilities."

Noun said he was treated with "respect" during his detention, and thanked those who intervened to facilitate his release, including the head of the Maronite Church Bechara al-Rai.  

Noun, whose brother was killed in the Aug. 4 tragedy, was arrested Friday for questioning after remarks made during a Thursday night television program in which he threatened to "blow up the Palace of Justice."

The Directorate General of State Security had announced that it had "arrested the activist William Noun … following an expression used during the program "Sar el-waet" (It's time) hosted by the journalist Marcel Ghanem," the NNA reported.

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The Director General of State Security Tony Saliba, who is close to Michel Aoun, is suspected of breaches of duty and is being prosecuted as part of the investigation into the blast.

He was reappointed at the head of the security apparatus last March.

In what appears to be a separate case, William Noun and other relatives of the victims were summoned by the judicial police earlier this week to answer charges of rioting, vandalism and damaging offices following a Tuesday protest that degenerated into scuffles with security forces.

Relatives of victims were demonstrating against the long suspension of the investigation into blast led by Judge Tarek Bitar, which has been hampered by political maneuvering for months. Demonstrators threw stones and other objects at the Beirut courthouse and some windows were broken.

Higher Judicial Council statement

Reacting to the leak of a statement attributed to the Higher Judicial Council, council president Souheil Abboud said late Saturday afternoon that the text published "was still under discussion."

"What was leaked to the press was the draft of a statement that did not obtain the required approval for publication," he said.

The document shared by the media involved an implicit defense of Judge Zaher Hamadeh by the Higher Judicial Council and "condemned interference and attacks on the work of judges..."

It also commented on William Noun's actions, saying that "the end to which a citizen aspires, although noble, does not justify the illegal and legally sanctioned means" to which he resorts.

Protest in Ramlet al-Baida

On Saturday morning, a calm atmosphere prevailed as a few dozen people gathered around 10 a.m. in front of the barracks in Ramlet al-Baida where William Noun is detained, according to our reporter Lyana Alameddine. 

When questioned, the lawyer of Noun and Bou Saab, Ralph Tannous, said that the security forces searched Noun's apartment, without finding what they were looking for — namely, he said, dynamite.

"We gave them William's phone, but they didn't find anything incriminating there either," Tannous added.

Tannous also called for the statements of Noun and Bou Saab to be completely separate and not linked, while according to MP and former president of the Beirut Bar Melhem Khalaf, who was present at State Security, Judge Zaher Hamadeh wanted to link the investigations into the two men. 

On Friday evening, following the announcement of Noun's detention, anger rose in the streets of Beirut, around the barracks of Ramlet al-Baida, where he was interrogated, and in his hometown region of Jbeil.

'Arbitrary arrests'

In Jbeil, a violent altercation took place overnight between protesters and the army. One protester was injured in the eye, according to the NNA.

Altercations also took place in front of the State Security headquarters in Ramlet al-Baida, where a rally in support of Noun was held.

The rally was attended by a number of MPs, including former head of Beirut Bar Melhem Khalaf (Beirut II). Forces of Change MPs Paula Yaacoubian, Mark Daou and Ibrahim Mneimneh also joined the sit-in, along with Kataeb MP Salim Sayegh.

Paul Naggear, father of Alexandra — one of the youngest Aug. 4 blast victims — was also present at the protest.

"We do not accept that arbitrary arrests," Khalaf said from Ramlet el-Baida.

"Malice is not worthy of justice, nor of the state nor of the security apparatus," said Yaacoubian, calling on "citizens to take to the streets."

From Jbeil, MP Ziad Hawat called for "the closure of all roads." He also said that "justice is broken and politicized."

On Twitter, many called for the release of William Noun.

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"When the roles are reversed, they try to turn the families of the victims into criminals," wrote Kataeb MP Samy Gemayel, warning against "the law of the jungle."

"William Noun is being forcibly detained to silence free voices and prevent them from telling the truth," he added.

'On the verge of a revolution'

Lebanese Forces MP Ghada Ayoub also called for the release of William Noun.

Free Patriotic Movement MP Simon Abi Ramia said he had "contacted the state security and judicial authorities, upon the arrival of William Noun for investigation, to make wise and responsible suggestions to avoid negative developments."

"The families of the victims and martyrs of the port explosion, and all Lebanese, have the right to know the whole truth," he added.

Michel Helou, Secretary General of the National Bloc, said that the arrest of Noun "is not only contrary to the law, but also to all human and moral standards."

On MTV, MP Marwan Hamadeh, close to the Progressive Socialist Party, said the "way of dealing with William Noun is a new assassination against all Lebanese."

"We are on the verge of a revolution much bigger than the one in 2019," he added.