REPORT: Former Minister Samaha’s trial postponed until May 2014

The trial of former Minister Michel Samaha, scheduled for today Tuesday 3rd of December, was postponed until the 30th of May 2014, due to the authorities’ failure to summon the head of the Syrian National Security Bureau Ali Mamlouk.

In this context, Samaha’s defense attorney Sakher Hashem told LBCI that “Liban Post” postal services company refused to deliver the notices summoning Mamlouk to Syria, due to the failure to reach an agreement between Lebanon and Syria under the sponsorship of “Liban Post”.

Hashem stressed that he is seeking to present a request to release the former minister from custody.

Former Minister Michel Samaha was arrested on Thursday 9th of August 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 11th of August 2012,  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. 


To watch Yazbek Wehbe's report, please click on the VIDEO above