The Lebanese judiciary approved the release of the artist Fadel Shaker in four security cases, most notably the Abra events file, after paying financial guarantees amounting to 100 million pounds for 3 files and 200 million pounds for the fourth file.
The decision was issued on Wednesday (July 8th) by the Permanent Military Court, while the government commissioner, Judge Claude Ghanem, reviewed the files and decided not to appeal the decision to release him, which allowed his release after 9 months of his arrest.
Shakir, who hid for more than a decade in Ain al-Hilweh camp before turning himself in in October 2025, was facing sentences in absentia ranging from 5 to 15 years, against the background of his association with Sheikh Ahmed al-Assir's group during the events of Abra in 2013.
Shaker's first comment after his release
Shaker said, "Thank God, Lord of the Worlds, today I wrote new lines in freedom, and I am grateful to God first and to everyone who stood by me and supported me in my cause."
In his first comment after his release on Instagram, he added, "I hope that you will understand my health and family situation, and give me a short opportunity to recover and reassure my family, and promise me that I will return to you soon, as you have been and continue to be the support and love that I cherish."
Shaker was transferred to the military hospital a few days ago following a sudden health ailment, which raised questions about his health during the detention period.
Files trans... Background of the charges and the course of the trial
The four cases relate to the events in Abra, which witnessed clashes between supporters of al-Asir and the Lebanese army in 2013, which resulted in the deaths of 18 soldiers and 11 militants, and include accusations of participating in the formation of an armed group, financing it, and involvement in confrontations against the army, in addition to statements that were considered offensive to Lebanon's relations with a brotherly country.
Despite the accusations, Shaker has pleaded not guilty, confirming that he was not involved in the shooting, and was acquitted last May of a case related to the attempted assassination of a local official linked to Hezbollah.
Who is Fadl Shaker?
Born to a Lebanese father and a Palestinian mother, Fadl Shaker is one of the most famous singers during the past three decades in the Arab world, and was known for his romantic works and the warmth of his voice, until he retired from singing in 2012 after becoming close to Sheikh Ahmed Al-Asir.
In recent years, Shaker's appearances have been limited to media appearances and a few lyrical works. But months before he handed himself in, he released new songs that were widely popular and garnered hundreds of millions of views.
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