Conflicting stories in the mysterious killing of Sheikhs Abdel Wahed and Merheb

Sheikh Ahmad Abdel Wahed, well-known in his hometown of Al Dourayb for his support for the Syrian revolution, was headed to the region of Halba with a group of Akkar residents to participate in a celebration held by his friend MP Khaled Daher.           

Sheikh Abdel Wahed, who has close ties with the commanders and members of the military institution, was stopped at a checkpoint set by the LAF’s Airborne Regiment in the town of Kwaykhat. Sheikh Abdel Wahed was accompanied by dozens of vehicles.          

LAF sources say that a verbal bout erupted between the soldiers and a person in one of the accompanying vehicles that was found to be carrying arms. Four shots rang out from the vehicle, hitting one soldier. Those manning the checkpoint fired back, killing both Sheikhs Abdel Wahed and Merheb.           

On the other hand, sources from the Sheikhs’ convoy say that soldiers tried to pull Sheikh Abdel Wahed out of the car to search him. Even when the Sheikh presented his credentials, they were adamant on searching him. The dispute lasted around five minutes after which Sheikh Abdel Wahed decided to turn around. This is when he heard one of the soldiers attacking him verbally before shooting in his direction, according to those who were accompanying him.          

The Sheikh’s wife, mother and four children repeated many times over that Sheikh Ahmed never hated anyone.           

The residents of Al-Bireh are calling for the deferral of the case to the Judicial Council since “it is a critical national case”.