Cassation Court approves Abou Ghaida's indictment in Samaha's case

The Cassation Court, sixth room, headed by assigned judge Walid Alkadi approved the indictment issued by First Military Investigation Magistrate Riad abou Ghaida regarding the file of former MP and Minister Michel Samaha. The Court rejected Judge Saqr Saqr’s appeal in the indictment issued by Judge Riad Abou Ghaida which would have disallowed the trial of Samaha in accordance with Article 274 Penal Code and the trial of General Ali Mamlouk based on Article 308 Penal Code.       

Former Minister Michel Samaha, was arrested on Thursday 9th of August 2012 by the Internal Security Forces’ Information Branch on suspicion of involvement in a plot to carry out terrorist attacks in Lebanon in collaboration with Syria.                             

He was charged by the government’s deputy commissioner at the Military Tribunal on Aug. 11, alongside Syrian National Security Bureau head Ali Mamlouk and a Syrian army officer identified as Brig. Gen. Adnan with plotting to assassinate political and religious figures in Lebanon and carrying out terrorist attacks.                           

The three men were accused of planning to incite sectarian clashes through terrorist attacks in North Lebanon during the Eid using explosives that Samaha allegedly transported to Lebanon and stored after taking possession of them from Mamlouk and Adnan.               

An indictment was issued by Lebanon's Military Prosecutor Riad Abou Ghaida on Wednesday Feb. 20 2013, requesting a death sentence for Samaha and Mamlouk. Judge Saqr Saqr had appealed the request under articles 274 and 308 of the penal code which stipulate hard labor for life and the death sentence.