A group of detainees known as “Islamist prisoners” began an open hunger strike on Thursday, calling for the adoption of the controversial general amnesty law.
In a voice recording from inside Roumieh prison, Sheikh Khaled Hoblos, who is detained on charges of terrorism, announced the beginning of the strike in Lebanese prisons. He stressed that he would halt the hunger strike only once the amnesty law is signed.
“Freedom or death until the adoption of the comprehensive amnesty law,” Hoblos was heard as saying in the voice recording.
The announcement came in parallel with some street protests by the detainees’ relatives, leading to the closure of some roads in Zahle and Tripoli, to be later reopened by the security forces.
Hoblos called on the Lebanese president, prime minister and speaker to find a solution to their cause, criticizing the authorities for failing to deal with militants “who occupied [Arsal] Mountains for years and kidnapped, killed and massacred army men.”
“Those, who brought car bombs to Lebanon, killed many Lebanese people… were left to leave in air-conditioned buses under the Lebanese protection until they arrived where they wanted… Of course, in order to protect Lebanon and its borders,” he noted.
“Thus, you will be capable of finding a solution for some of those [imprisoned, enabling the release of] thousands of those detained – from all sects in all prisons,” he said, calling on the authorities to “engage with religious [figures] from each sect” to find a solution that “fits everyone, in a timely manner.”
“We invite you to open a new page, as the leaders of the civil war have opened a new page, and today they hold the highest positions,” he said.
