(27 Aug 2025)
LEBANON PRISONERS FAMILIES RALLY
SOURCE: ASSOCIATED PRESS
RESTRICTION SUMMARY:
LENGTH: 2:15
ASSOCIATED PRESS
Roumieh, east of Beirut, Lebanon – 27 August 2025
1. Various of families of Syrian and Lebanese detainees protesting in a street leading to Roumieh Prison holding banner of Ahmad Al-Asir, signs including ones reading: "For 12 years, our elderly and youth have been in prison," and "The Syrian revolution remains imprisoned in Lebanon."
2. SOUNDBITE (Arabic) Amal Shamseldin, wife of radical Sunni cleric Ahmad al-Assir:
"It is now clear to everyone, to all those who are fair, that what happened in Abra (in Sidon) in particular was a grave injustice. And that what happened in Abra was a conspiracy by the party, placing us against the army. Everyone knows who Sheikh Ahmad al-Assir is, a man who worked for years to place weapons under the authority of the state. He had been calling for it for years. Now, the state has finally reached what the sheikh had been calling for, thank God. So why should the sheikh remain in prison, when everyone knows the injustice he has faced? Especially since the situation in the prisons is getting worse and worse."
3. Various of families of Syrian and Lebanese detainees protesting, signs in rally reading signs saying "the Syrian revolution remains imprisoned in Lebanon" and "general amnesty to turn over this leaf of pain"
4. SOUNDBITE (Arabic) Amal Shamseldin, wife of radical Sunni cleric Ahmad al-Assir:
"We have to move on from this painful chapter especially since God has removed the rule of the tyrant (Bashar) Assad and since the repercussions of the events in Syria are over. And everyone knows of the injustice. So why should our youth and our elders remain in prisons? A solution must be found, and they must be released as soon as possible."
5. Various of protesters and families of detainees in Lebanese jails, some carrying banner with image of Ahmad al-Assir
6. SOUNDBITE (Arabic) Abdullah Shaheen, participant:
"We are here in front of Roumieh Prison to lift the injustice off our imprisoned brothers who were jailed because of the Syrian revolution — Syrians, Lebanese, Palestinians, for everyone. The Syrian revolution has triumphed, and its effects must be felt in Lebanon as well. Everyone who was imprisoned because of the Syrian revolution should be released."
7. Wide of protest
8. Mid of Lebanese army unit
STORYLINE:
The families of Lebanese and Syrian prisoners held in Lebanese prisons say their relatives are unjustly held for political reasons and are demanding a general amnesty for them.
Some of the prisoners were arrested in Lebanon in connection with the 2011 protests that erupted in Syria, eventually turning into a 14-year civil war.
Among the protesters who participated in the rally on Wednesday was Amal Shamseldin, the wife of Ahmad al-Assir, a radical Sunni cleric.
"Why should the Sheikh remain in prison, when everyone knows the injustice he has faced? Especially since the situation in the prisons is getting worse," Shamseldin said.
A Lebanese military tribunal sentenced al-Assir to death in 2017 for his role in the 2013 clashes that killed 18 soldiers.
He had gained support in southern Lebanon for his vocal criticism of the powerful Shiite militant Hezbollah group’s involvement in Syria’s civil war, sparking tension between Sunni and Shiite Muslims who support opposing sides.
What started as clashes between al-Assir’s supporters and opponents turned into a deadly, days-long standoff with the Lebanese army that left 18 soldiers dead.
Find out more about AP Archive: http://www.aparchive.com/HowWeWork
Twitter: https://twitter.com/AP_Archive
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/APArchives
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/APNews/
You can license this story through AP Archive: http://www.aparchive.com/metadata/youtube/ed731bf92bb7435cb53ac83de86dc10c
Author: AP Archive
Go to Source
News post in September 1, 2025, 3:05 pm.
Visit Our Sponsor’s:
News Post In – News
