Despite Differences, Lebanese Agree on Non Leniency with Collaborators

Local Editor

Despite the differences, Lebanese political and judicial figures have all agreed on condemning the release of Israeli spies. Starting from the Attorney General, Judge Said Mirza, the decision of release was a shock for him. Mirza denied what was previously reported by media outlets that he had agreed on the decision, stressing that the Military Court of Cassation, headed by Judge Alice Shebtini, decided to release the spies “without my knowledge”. The court had sentenced the four people from the Al-Alam family to prison for 10 to 15 years on collaboration charges. They were released on bail last week after having been detained for almost three years. “We are fighting to [catch] the agents of the Israeli enemy, not to release them,” Mirza said in an interview with Al-Akhbar newspaper published on Monday. “According to law, the four released individuals weren’t arrested under the name of “provisional detention”, so they were guilty. They were convicted even before referring them to the Military Court of Cassation”. “I was shocked” by the decision”, Mirza said, adding that he may “understand the concept of mercy and pity” if the issue was not related to collaborating with the Israeli enemy. “Here, mercy is unpermitted”, Mirza told al-Akhbar daily. On the other hand, MPs of different political movements denounced the decision of release. Future movement MP Samir Jisr told al-Manar TV that he was “surprised” by the decision adding that “it has not been circulated for a 15-year-sentenced to be released through cassation”. “I haven’t look into the decision yet, but I oppose leniency especially while dealing with crimes related to collaborating with the enemy and spying”, Jisr added. For his part, member of Change and Reform bloc, MP Emile Rahme, said that all Lebanese have agreed on strictness while dealing with issues of spying. Releasing these spies “contradicts with the usual judicial procedures” in Lebanon, Rahme told al-Manar. Furthermore, member of Development and Liberation bloc, MP Hani Qobeissi said it was the state’s and the judicial authority’s responsibility to follow up the issue of spies in Lebanon. “Every individual should be sentenced according to his crime, setting aside political consideration”, Qobeissi told al-Manar. Translated by Marwa Haidar

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