LF leader Samir Geagea at a press conference in Maarab in May 2019. (Credit: AFP/LF File/Aldo Ayoub)
BEIRUT — The head of the Lebanese Forces Samir Geagea called in a statement Friday for the government, judiciary and security authorities to "assume their roles" and pursue the investigation into the death of Lebanese Forces member Elias Hasrouni. Hasrouni was found dead in suspicious circumstances in early August in Ain Ibl in southern Lebanon.
“I call on the prime minister, the ministers of Interior and Justice, the prosecutor general and the relevant investigating judges, each according to their role, to assume their responsibilities and request that the security agencies continue the investigation to its conclusion in the assassination of Elias Hasrouni, remove all obstacles in its path, reveal the truth, execute justice and uphold the right,” Geagea said.
Hasrouni, aged 72, was found dead in his car on Aug. 2 in the village of Ain Ibl in southern Lebanon. He was initially reported to have died in a car accident.
Ain Ibl is a predominantly Christian village in a largely Shiite region of southern Lebanon.
The president of the Ain Ibl municipality, Imad Allous, along with the Lebanese Forces and the Kataeb party, claimed that Hasrouni was kidnapped and murdered.
Geagea added that the authorities had told the LF they are "no longer able to proceed with the investigation into the murder … because they are prevented from doing so."
The LF leader had earlier, in a statement issued on Tuesday, alleged that the security forces had suspended their investigation into the matter.
However, a source at the Interior Ministry told L'Orient-Le Jour on Wednesday that the ministry and security forces are "determined to pursue the investigation into the Ain Ibl murder, as in other cases."
"The law must be applied to protect civil peace," the source added.
A security source however refused to comment on the progress of the investigation, saying only that the case was "very delicate."
“This is completely unacceptable by all standards. We know that we live in a corrupt state dominated by Hezbollah, but for matters to reach the point of preventing an investigation into the assassination of a Lebanese citizen in broad daylight and in front of the eyes of all Lebanese is categorically rejected,” Geagea said.
On Aug. 14, as the investigation was ongoing, Geagea accused Hezbollah of involvement in Hasrouni's death, citing "available information."
"We are awaiting the investigations of the security services, but according to the information available, suspicions point to the involvement of Hezbollah," he said.
However, Hasrouni's brother told Al-Jadeed TV station shortly after the victim was found: "I don't believe that what happened has a political nature, and there are those who want to fish in troubled waters."