Lebanon summons academic critical of Hezbollah, raising free speech concerns

Lebanese academic Dr. Zena Mansour confirmed she was summoned for questioning by the General Security Directorate’s Information Affairs Office on Monday. Mansour is known for her criticism of Hezbollah and has shared more moderate views on Israeli military actions than is typical within Lebanon.

In recent months, Mansour has appeared on Arab media, asserting that Tehran has made Lebanon a bargaining chip. She has also condemned Hezbollah for placing the country "at the mercy of a regional war."

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My positions, opinions, activities, and statements are all publicly declared through official and social media platforms with utmost clarity and candor, recorded in audio and video on classical media outlets, platforms, and documented in articles, posts, and scientific and journalistic research bearing my name, stemming from my role as an academic, university professor, specialized researcher, and political writer.

The summons has sparked criticism from Lebanese civil leaders online. They note the timing, coming less than two weeks after journalist Rami Naim received a prison sentence and fine for comments about two female lawyers. Naim had also faced scrutiny over comments made about Hezbollah.

Lebanon has recently sentenced other academics and journalists in absentia. Maria Maalouf, one such journalist, told The Jerusalem Post she was not given a chance to defend herself. It remains unclear why Mansour was summoned, but she stated her positions are publicly declared through official and social media platforms with clarity and candor.

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My positions, opinions, activities, and statements are all publicly declared through official and social media platforms with utmost clarity and candor, recorded in audio and video on classical media outlets, platforms, and documented in articles, posts, and scientific and journalistic research bearing my name, stemming from my role as an academic, university professor, specialized researcher, and political writer.