Georges Abdallah En Route to Beirut; Paris Obstruction and Tense Hours
According to the English section of webangah News Agency, citing Mehr news Agency and al Mayadeen, French authorities decided Friday to release Lebanese activist George Abdallah after nearly 41 years in detention and send him back to Lebanon.
Al Mayadeen’s Paris correspondent reported that this move occurred one day earlier than the originally scheduled date.
The correspondent explained that French officials advanced Abdallah’s transfer from Saturday to Friday to prevent a public reception upon his arrival.
They also noted that Paris barred any public or press statements from Abdallah prior to his deportation.
Field reports indicate george abdallah is expected to be freed within hours.
Meanwhile, Robert Abdallah, George’s brother, spoke of anxious hours awaiting his arrival as no official landing time in Beirut has yet been confirmed.
Al Mayadeen confirmed that George Abdallah has been released and is on his way back to lebanon. His condition is reportedly very good, and he eagerly awaits reunion with family and friends.
The George Abdallah Freedom campaign called for broad participation in welcoming ceremonies upon his return.
Lawyer Fida Abdel Fattah stated the change in release date-from Saturday moved forward-was intended to disrupt celebrations surrounding his arrival in Beirut.
Al Mayadeen published images showing Abdallah being transferred from Lannemezan Prison toward Paris. Previously, Abdallah praised the growing mobilization among supporters as a major factor behind France’s Ministry of Justice approving his release.
The Lebanese Embassy in Paris told Al Mayadeen’s reporter that George Abdallah’s flight departs at 9:00 a.m. from Paris and arrives at 2:30 p.m. local time in Beirut.
Who Is George Abdallah?
George Abdallah ranks among Europe’s longest-held political prisoners. He was arrested in 1984 in Lyon, France on charges related to holding a forged Algerian passport following pursuit by Israeli intelligence service Mossad. In 1978, he joined the Popular Front for the Liberation of Palestine (PFLP). By 1981, he participated in establishing armed revolutionary factions within Lebanon. Later allegations linked him with assassinations targeting American and Israeli diplomats.
In 1999, according to French penal law provisions, he met criteria for release conditions; however, parole was not granted until 2003 when the court approved it but was afterward delayed due to appeals by France’s Attorney General. In 2005, prosecutors opposed any form of emancipation for him indefinitely.
In 2006 prosecutors rejected further requests arguing releasing him would harm France’s standing with U.S. allies and deportation guarantees against recurrence were insufficient.
In October 2007-a seventh parole bid failed-and although an appeal hearing was held january 31st following year decisions were postponed until April.
By 2013 an eighth parole application succeeded conditioned on leaving french territory but this ruling faced immediate appeals suspending enforcement.
France’s criminal enforcement court also rejected a ninth parole bid during proceedings held through early February.
After a February hearing delayed final decisions again demanding partial compensation be paid as restitution toward families of assassinated diplomats-an offer continually refused by Abdallah who denies all involvement.
Last November judges ruled for freedom but execution halted promptly after terrorism prosecutor appeals raised concerns over national security interests.
France’s judiciary ultimately decided Thursday July 17th-the culmination after four decades inside prison-to grant this veteran Lebanese combatant freedom amidst surging solidarity campaigns worldwide during recent months.
