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    Home»News»Lebanon News
    AP
    4 Mins Read

    Arrests Of Activists In Lebanon Sparked Angry Protests & Clashes

    By Souad LazkaniJune 19, 2020Updated:April 24, 2021
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    Several revolutionaries took to the streets on Thursday, closing the highway in Jounieh and protesting for the release of a detained activist. The protests turned violent with clashes between the people and security forces.

    Activist Michel Chamoun, who previously lost his finger by a rubber bullet during a protest, was taken into custody, reportedly for a video message to the president he posted on social media.

    In the video, he addressed President Michel Aoun in regard to the state prosecutor’s decision to arrest anyone who insults the president, calling on the president to consider instead why the people are so angry.

    Because of this video; Michel Shamoun was summoned to investigation & is being forced to sign a pledge & remove the video in order to be released.

    Few days ago a decision has been made to investigate anyone who attacks the presidency in #Lebanon

    pic.twitter.com/y5vfJkK5Om

    — Luna Safwan – لونا صفوان (@LunaSafwan) June 18, 2020

    His video was a response to new laws set by state prosecutor Ghassan Oueidat, who has begun a crackdown on those who criticize the president and his rule.

    Lebanese authorities have been assigned to identify and arrest people who post photoshopped pictures of the president or insults targeted towards him.

    The public reaction at the arrest of Michel Chamoun, as seen on social media and in the streets, was intense. His name trended #1 on Twitter and his arrest became the most talked-about event of the day.

    Angry protesters gathered outside Jounieh Serail, demanding his release, which soon ensued in violence between them and the security forces.

    Videos of these confrontations circulated online. One, in particular, showing one protester getting beaten up by several security forces members, sparked outrage on social media.

    View this post on Instagram

    A post shared by United Lebanese Movement (ULM) (@united.lebanese)

    Taking information from MTV’s live coverage of the intense situation that extended to the Jounieh highway, Beirut Report tweeted:

    “Pushing, shoving continues as protestors take over [the] national highway, say they won’t leave until activist Michel Chamoun is free.” “He didn’t rob the country!” says [a] woman. Another addresses President: “Aoun go fight corruption!” Another shouts, “Your day is coming!”

    Around 9:30 PM, MTV reported that the Head of Beirut Bar Association, Melhem Khalaf, was seen exiting the security branch in Dekwaneh with Michel Chamoun and they headed to Jounieh.

    In order to be released, Chamoun had to sign a pledge not to criticize the president anymore and delete the video.

    It feels good when we have trends N1 like Michel Chamoun. You feel it is organic, the people, us! ✊🏻
    Michel is free! Victory to the #LebaneseRevolution 🇱🇧#ميشال_شمعون pic.twitter.com/AO1kNzJjqF

    — Lebanese Bonkers (@BonkersLebanese) June 18, 2020

    At this point, the video had already been shared online by many other accounts that it didn’t matter whether he deleted it or not. And although he signed the pledge, he stated that he will continue to express his opinion democratically.

    Earlier this month, activist Gino Raidy was also detained in interrogation for hours after he was sued for opinions he expressed on social media.

    Protesters stood outside the Barbar Khazen Police barracks in Beirut where he was taken. He was released on the same day.

    View this post on Instagram

    A post shared by Lebanon Times (@lebanontimes)

    Another activist was arrested on Thursday yet her story is intriguing and highly controversial.

    Kinda Khatib, a social and political blogger, holder of a Masters Degree in Literature, was taken reportedly by Lebanese authorities from her home in the North.

    Details on her arrest, the reason, and her whereabouts are still unknown. Although no official statement has been issued, anti-revolution tweeters prompted to launch a fierce campaign against her, claiming she was arrested for being affiliated with Israel, which is a very grave accusation.

    Hezbollah's online community is not only projecting into possibilities – but making serious accusations about Kinda Al Khatib being affliated to Israel.

    Not 1 official statement from the government about her arrest yet and they are already spreading this hashtag. @salmanonline pic.twitter.com/59jPO1eGEL

    — Luna Safwan – لونا صفوان (@LunaSafwan) June 18, 2020

    Kinda Al-Khatib’s name went also trending on Twitter, double-trending to be more accurate with two opposed hashtags.

    Anti-revolution people went on slandering and defaming her as “traitor” and a “spy” while the people of the revolution went on demanding her release and stating her innocence.

    According to various tweets, Kinda has been a target for her outspoken stance against Hezbollah for a long while now:

    Its worth to note that the Twitter campaign launched against Kinda Al Khatib by pro Hezbollah users is not new.

    To them; anyone who opposed Hebollah is an ally of Israel.

    They don't understand the seriousness of this allegation.

    Most of them never heard of her before tonight. https://t.co/Z4mOREodrg

    — Luna Safwan – لونا صفوان (@LunaSafwan) June 18, 2020

    A tweet has been also circulating showing that her twitter account was hacked to set her up.

    قال شو عميلة . العمالة معروفة من وين طلعت . تفضلو الادلة على اختراق حساب كيندا و تبليغها للقوى الامنية #الحريه_لكيندا_الخطيب pic.twitter.com/zrEf7hkw9T

    — Chady ↗️ (@Elprofesor87) June 18, 2020

    Puzzling and unsettling, the question remains (as to the time of writing): Where is Kinda El-Khatib?

    Ghassan Oueidat Hezbollah Israel Lebanese Revolution (Thawra) Melhem Khalaf Michel Aoun
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