A French court on Thursday ordered the release of Lebanese activist Georges Ibrahim Abdallah, who has served 40 years in prison for attacks on American and Israeli diplomats in France.
The former head of the Lebanese Armed Revolutionary Brigade (LARB) was sentenced to life in 1987 for his role in the 1982 murders in Paris of U.S. military attache Charles Ray and Israeli diplomat Yacov Barsimantov, and the attempted murder of U.S. Consul General Robert Homme in Strasbourg in 1984.
The Paris Appeals Court approved Abdallah’s release on 25 July on the condition that he leaves France, a judicial source said. A second source familiar with the case confirmed he would be deported to Lebanon.
In a February hearing, the Paris court said Abdallah should make an effort to compensate the families of his victims, according to a person familiar with the matter.
His lawyer said in June that about €16,000 ($18,546) had been deposited into his account, but the U.S. Department of Justice and France’s general prosecutor argued the sum was insufficient and did not come from Abdallah himself.
A source familiar with the case said on Thursday that Abdallah will not be required to pay compensation to the victims.
It was not immediately clear whether further appeals could be filed.
The U.S. Department of Justice and France's general prosecutor have for years vigorously opposed his release, and eight previous release requests had been rejected.
Neither Abdallah's lawyer nor the Lebanese and U.S. embassies were immediately available for comment.
Abdallah, 74, has remained a staunch defender of the Palestinian cause.
The Paris court described Abdallah’s conduct in prison as exemplary and said in November that he posed “no serious risk of committing further terrorist acts.”
However, the U.S. Department of Justice has asserted that his release would pose a threat to the safety of U.S. diplomats.
Washington has opposed Abdallah’s release, pointing to his past comments about returning to his hometown of Qobayyat near the Lebanese-Syrian border, given the recent clashes between Israel and Iran-backed Hezbollah.
Abdallah, the former head of the Lebanese Armed Revolutionary Brigade (LARB), was sentenced to life in 1987 for his role in the 1982 murders of U.S. military attaché Charles Ray and Israeli diplomat Yacov Barsimantov in Paris.
He was also convicted of the attempted murder of U.S. Consul General Robert Homme in Strasbourg in 1984.
U.S. President Donald Trump says more talks between Israel and Lebanon will take place "today", as more strikes occur in Lebanon. He...
Armenia is entering a tense election period, with Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan warning that rivals risk pushing the country back towards conflict...
Iran has raised the idea of charging ships to pass through the Strait of Hormuz, drawing sharp attention due to the waterway’s vital role in ...
Germany’s opposition party, The Left, on Thursday accused Chancellor Friedrich Merz’s government of fuelling the war in Iran by exporti...
Turkish police have detained 83 people for “glorifying crime and criminals” following two school shootings this week, including an atta...
Armenia is entering a tense election period, with Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan warning that rivals risk pushing the country back towards conflict, while urging voters to remain on a path towards peace with Azerbaijan.
Turkish police have detained 83 people for “glorifying crime and criminals” following two school shootings this week, including an attack in Kahramanmaraş in which a 14-year-old student killed at least nine people before taking his own life.
The U.S. has warned it could impose sanctions on buyers of Iranian oil and expects China to halt purchases as Washington intensifies enforcement of a maritime blockade on Iran.
A federal judge has dismissed a high-profile lawsuit brought by the Trump administration that sought to pre-emptively stop the state of Hawaii from suing major fossil fuel companies over the local impacts of climate change.
Greenland’s prime minister has appointed his predecessor to oversee foreign affairs, as pressure from Washington intensifies over the Arctic island’s future.
Spain’s plan to grant legal status to hundreds of thousands of undocumented migrants is facing early resistance, with immigration officers warning they may strike over a lack of preparation and resources.
Dubai’s most iconic hotel, the Burj Al Arab, is set to close for the first time since opening in 1999 as it begins an extensive 18-month refurbishment aimed at preserving its status as a global symbol of luxury.
The U.S. and Iran could resume peace talks over the next couple of days, U.S. President Donald Trump has said. Talks between Israel and Lebanon were held in Washington yesterday. Fuel prices have dropped below $100 a barrel. U.S. blockade on Iranian ports completes first day.
Azerbaijan and Russia have announced a formal settlement over the 2024 crash of an Azerbaijan Airlines (AZAL) Embraer 190 near Aktau, confirming that all outstanding issues, including compensation, have been resolved.
Germany’s opposition party, The Left, on Thursday accused Chancellor Friedrich Merz’s government of fuelling the war in Iran by exporting arms to Israel, as new figures revealed millions of euros in approved military sales.
The U.S. Senate on Wednesday rejected two legislative resolutions aimed at stopping the sale of heavy bombs and military bulldozers to Israel.
A federal judge has dismissed a high-profile lawsuit brought by the Trump administration that sought to pre-emptively stop the state of Hawaii from suing major fossil fuel companies over the local impacts of climate change.
A major fire at the Geelong oil refinery near Melbourne in Australia on Wednesday 15 April was extinguished on Thursday lunchtime officials said. It's one of Australia's largest and critical plant's. Authorities said it is still producing jet fuel and diesel but at reduced levels.
The U.S. military said it carried out a lethal strike on a vessel in the eastern Pacific on Wednesday, killing three people.
You can download the AnewZ application from Play Store and the App Store.
What is your opinion on this topic?
Leave the first comment