Lebanon grants bail to famed singer, militant after decade-long fugitive run

Lebanese singer Fadel Shaker has been granted bail by Lebanese authorities in connection with clashes that occurred in 2013. These clashes involved supporters of Sunni Sheikh Ahmad al-Assir opening fire on a military checkpoint in Sidon, resulting in the deaths of 18 soldiers.

Shaker had been evading arrest for 12 years before surrendering to authorities last October. He spent months in jail awaiting a retrial on charges including belonging to an armed group, financing militant factions, and money laundering. In 2020, he was sentenced in absentia to 22 years in prison for allegedly supporting the Sunni group responsible for the attack.

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Praise be to God, Lord of the worlds. Today, new lines of freedom were written for me, and I am grateful to God first and to all who stood by me and supported me in my case.

The group, led by followers of Assir, strongly opposed Hezbollah and Iranian influence in Lebanon, as well as the Syrian dictatorship. Shaker, who had been hiding in the Ein el-Hilweh Palestinian refugee camp, was granted bail for 500 million Lebanese pounds.

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I hope you understand my health and family situation and grant me a short period to regain my strength and to check on my family. I promise to return to you soon, as you have been and remain the support and love I cherish.

Shaker previously testified about receiving threats from Hezbollah and supporters of Bashar al-Assad. While admitting a past connection to Assir, he claimed to have grown distant before the 2013 clashes due to disagreements. Despite denying direct participation in the clashes, a 2013 video reportedly showed him boasting about killing Hezbollah terrorists.

Upon his release on bail, Shaker posted on Instagram, expressing gratitude for his freedom and asking for a short period to regain his strength and attend to his family, promising a return soon. He stated that new lines of freedom were written for him and thanked those who supported him.

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We have two rotting corpses that we snatched from you yesterday.