Arrest Warrants Issued Against 3 Officers in Abdul Wahed Case

The military examining magistrate issued on Saturday arrest warrants against three army officers, who were released last week, in the case of the killing of Sunni Sheikh Ahmed Abdul Wahed and his companion.

Judge Riyad Abu Ghida questioned the three officers and rearrested them, the National News Agency reported.

The three officers were transferred back to the military police jail.

Ex-Prime Minister Saad Hariri welcomed the detention of the 3 officers and considered it as a step that fortifies the trust of the victims’ families, Akkar residents and all the Lebanese in justice and the army.

“The judiciary and the army are two key institutions in the state and should always be trusted by the Lebanese,” he said in a statement issued by his press office.

For his part, al-Mustaqbal bloc leader Fouad Saniora hailed their detention, saying the move confirms the judiciary’s determination to reveal the truth in the case and holding the culprits accountable.

Their release on bail last week along with eight soldiers arrested over the case angered the residents of the district of Akkar where Sheikhs Abdul Wahed and Mohammed Merheb were killed at the Kweikhat army checkpoint in May.

Five other soldiers remain in custody.

Protestors blocked roads in Akkar and official figures, including al-Mustaqbal bloc MP Khaled al-Daher, called on referring the case to the Judicial Council.

Al-Daher even threatened civil disobedience, including sit-ins near the Grand Serail and Premier Najib Miqati’s residence, should the government keep the case in the hands of the military court.

The government sought to limit the growing unrest in the North and appease them on Monday by tasking Justice Minister Shakib Qortbawi with asking General Prosecutor Said Mirza to directly supervise the investigations and report back to the cabinet.