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Kidnapped? Mystery surrounds disappearance of Akkar sheikh

Sheikh Ahmad Rifai, known for his criticism of Hezbollah and Iran, "had not been threatened before and was moving around freely," according to his family.

Kidnapped? Mystery surrounds disappearance of Akkar sheikh

Sheikh Ahmad Rifai. (Photo retrieved from Rifai's Facebook profile)

Reported missing on Monday, Sunni Sheikh Ahmad Rifai's whereabouts remain unknown.

Rifai, who is known for his hostile stance on Hezbollah and the pro-Iranian axis in Lebanon, is originally from the village of Karkaf in Akkar, northern Lebanon. The sheikh was last seen in Tripoli Monday evening.

Rifai is the imam at the Grand Mosque Ahmad Rifai in Karkaf and he is known for his social media criticisms of the Mumana'a – the pro-Iran political axis involving Hezbollah. According to press reports, Rifai's latest prayer speech addressed drug trafficking in areas under Hezbollah's influence.

Contacted by L'Orient-Le Jour, the sheikh's brother, Ibrahim Rifai, said his family is completely confused.

"We do not know if the sheikh has been kidnapped or if he is being questioned by the authorities," Rifai said. He also said his brother "had not been threatened before and was moving freely."

Ibrahim Rifai also said the family was invited to a meeting on Thursday afternoon by the Mufti of Akkar, Zayd Zakaria, who "has something to announce." However, the meeting with the Mufti did not reveal new information, said Ibrahim Rifai.

A press conference will be held on Friday at 4:00 pm in Karkaf to announce the latest developments in the case.

"Nothing is certain, I feel like my hands are tied," Rifai told L'Orient-Le Jour. "If I knew where he [Ahmad] was, I would go for it," he continued.

Despite the family's doubts, various security bodies denied that they have imprisoned or arrested the sheikh.

Caught on tape

According to Ibrahim Rifai Ahmad left Karkaf by car on Monday and performed the evening prayer in the al-Baraka mosque in Beddaoui, Tripoli. He then headed to al-Mina, at around 7 pm, before disappearing within the vicinity of the  Beirut Arab University's Tripoli branch.

According to eye-witnesses quoted by the al-Markazia news agency, the car of the sheikh was followed by two vehicles that forced Ahmad Rifai to go to the back of the building.

 An investigation into the disappearance of the sheikh was launched based on surveillance camera footage in the area, army checkpoints and cell phone data, confirmed L'Orient Today's correspondent in the north with security officials.

On Tuesday, Mufti Zayd Zakaria held an emergency meeting in the presence of Sunni MPs Mohammad Yahia and Mohammad Sleiman, both from Akkar. Several religious leaders from the region, including those belonging to other faiths, were also present at the meeting, according to the state-run National News Agency.

Those present at the meeting contacted the Grand Mufti of Lebanon, Abdellatif Derian, who affirmed that he will "follow the case himself with the security forces."

On Tuesday, demonstrators blocked the main road to Mouhammara at the southern entrance to Akkar, to demand that authorities work quickly to find the missing sheikh.

This article was originally published in French in L'Orient-Le Jour. Additional reporting by Michel Hallak.

Reported missing on Monday, Sunni Sheikh Ahmad Rifai's whereabouts remain unknown. Rifai, who is known for his hostile stance on Hezbollah and the pro-Iranian axis in Lebanon, is originally from the village of Karkaf in Akkar, northern Lebanon. The sheikh was last seen in Tripoli Monday evening. Rifai is the imam at the Grand Mosque Ahmad Rifai in Karkaf and he is known for his social media...