Fadel Shaker, Ahmad al-Assir acquitted of attempted murder

A Lebanese court has acquitted popular singer Fadel Shaker of charges related to the attempted murder of a Hezbollah-allied official, a decision that comes after his surrender to authorities last October. Shaker had been in hiding for over a decade following his alleged involvement in the 2013 clashes in Sidon between the Lebanese army and supporters of Salafist cleric Ahmad al-Assir. While Shaker was a known supporter of Assir, he has consistently denied direct participation in the violence that resulted in the deaths of 18 soldiers. The acquittal on attempted murder charges, alongside Assir and others, was based on insufficient evidence, according to judicial officials. This ruling offers a reprieve for Shaker on this specific charge, but his legal troubles are far from over. He remains in detention and is scheduled to face a military court on May 26 for four other cases, including charges of forming an armed group. His years on the run saw him convicted in absentia, receiving sentences ranging from five to 15 years. Notably, during his time in hiding, Shaker released new music from the refugee camp that achieved significant success across the Arab world, showcasing his enduring popularity. The case highlights the complex intersection of entertainment, religious extremism, and armed conflict in Lebanon, and the long legal shadows cast by past events.

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insufficient evidence