Sheikh Khaldoun Oraymet receiving visitors in his home in Akkar, Dec. 21, 2025. (Credit: Michel Hallak)
Sheikh Khaldoun Oraymet, a Sunni dignitary from the Akkar region (northern Lebanon), said he fears for his life during a press conference held on Friday.
For several weeks, this cleric has been at the center of controversy after being accused by some of having ties to a man who posed as a Saudi prince and allegedly contacted several political figures in Lebanon.
"I am the victim of a systematic moral targeting that could at any moment lead to physical assassination," said the Sunni dignitary, announcing that he filed a defamation complaint Friday with the Court of Cassation.
Sheikh Oraymet said he has received several threats, and was later contacted by someone described as close to "a local political group," who allegedly asked him not to speak to the media, not to leave Beirut, or travel to northern Lebanon.
He also accused "former Assad regime officials" of fabricating false allegations against him.
"Until now, I have not responded to these defamation campaigns, which have harmed myself, my family, as well as Lebanese political figures," he continued, stating that he places his trust in the Lebanese judiciary. "The Sunni scene is being targeted," he added.
Accused on social media of fraud, the religious figure has repeatedly denied any involvement. He is notably accused by some of being associated with a man known as "Abu Omar," who allegedly pretended to be a Saudi prince and scammed Lebanese political officials.
A senior judicial source contacted by L’Orient-Le Jour confirmed that the fake prince was arrested by authorities some time ago, but in a case unrelated to Sheikh Oraymet.
According to information circulating online, the alleged scammer is from the Wadi Khaled region in northern Lebanon.
