They were detained in March by UAE authorities who accused them of links to Lebanon’s Shiite Hezbollah movement, considered a “terrorist” organization by the Sunni Gulf monarchies, said Afif Soman, a spokesman for the families of the Lebanese detainees in the Emirates.
Ten Lebanese nationals arrested in the United Arab Emirates have been released before a month has passed since the death of their compatriot in prison, the Lebanese Foreign Ministry announced on Saturday.
They were detained in March by UAE authorities who accused them of links to Lebanon’s Shiite Hezbollah movement, considered a “terrorist” organization by the Sunni Gulf monarchies, said Afif Soman, a spokesman for the families of the Lebanese detainees in the Emirates.
“They have been released, but they remain in the UAE,” he clarified.
In a press release that it published, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Lebanon talked about “the release of ten Lebanese prisoners who were arrested in the UAE about two months ago.”
One of the people arrested in March, Gazi Ezzedine, died in custody in early May, sparking an outcry from human rights groups. The rest were “released following the negative reactions and media campaign that followed the death” of the Lebanese national, according to Mr Soman.
Gazi Ezzedin, 55, was arrested on March 22, Sima Watling of the NGO Amnesty International told AFP a few days ago. According to her, the Lebanese were arrested in March without being charged.
He died in custody on May 4, but according to Ms Watling, the authorities did not inform the family until five days after his death, when they asked his son to go and identify him.
“It seems as if the Emirati authorities are trying to hide the real cause of death and cover up the case,” he added.
According to Lebanon’s Foreign Ministry, Ghazi Ezzedine was buried in Dubai at the request of the family.
UAE authorities have made no comment whatsoever on his death.
Lebanese nationals living in the Gulf monarchies are sometimes caught in the crossfire by tensions in the region and brawls between the Sunni Gulf monarchies and Shiite Iran, which backs Hezbollah.
In May 2019, Amnesty International spoke of the imposition of prison terms on three Lebanese nationals accused by the UAE of forming a “terrorist cell” and “planning attacks” at the behest of Hezbollah.
In February 2021, around ten Lebanese imprisoned in the Emirates were released, following efforts by the Lebanese authorities.
Source :Skai
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