Reasons behind abduction of Father Elias Gharios in Baalbek

Benin, daughter of Sheikh Ahmad Kataya, Imam of the mixed Bekaa town of Nabha got baptized three years ago in Our Lady of Bechwat Church. The 24-year-old girl got baptized willingly and decided to become a Christian with the help of Father Elias Gharios.      

When Benin left her parents’ house six days ago, her parents threatened Father Gharios over the phone on Sunday before kidnapping him Monday afternoon on the Douris – Al Ansar road. They intercepted his car and pointed guns at his face.      

Gharios said that he was blindfolded and handcuffed; he was pressured and threatened in order to reveal Benin’s whereabouts. Gharios confirmed to LBCI that he completely ignores her location, knowing that rumors circulated in the town of Nabha suggesting that she may have gone to a monastery.      

Father Gharios was detained by abductors for 5 hours during which security forces intensified their efforts and Hezbollah Shura member Sheikh Mohammad Yazbeck contacted the Kataya family members urging them to free Father Gharios as soon as possible. The Hezbollah leadership mobilized its efforts at the highest level and before midnight on Monday, Gharios was released and taken to the office of Sheikh Yazbeck in Baalbek.      

Father Gharios did not want to prosecute his abductors after he identified one of them when pictures were shown to him. Upon his release, he received both Shiites and Christians well-wishers.