HRW calls for Lebanon to prosecute members of the Security Forces for torture through ordinary justice

Sep. 26 (EUROPA PRESS) –

The NGO HRW has called on Monday for the Lebanese authorities to prosecute members of the security forces who are currently accused of torturing and murdering a Syrian refugee through ordinary criminal courts, instead of military courts.

The non-governmental organization refers to the chaos of Bashar Abed Al Saud, who died on August 31, after being arrested the day before. On September 2, after the news of his death, images of his bruised body were distributed in the media.

Photographs and a video of Al Saud’s body, reviewed by the organizations, corroborate the forensic report and show large parts of his body covered in bruises, whip marks, cuts and burns.

“The shocking images of Al Saud’s bruised and slashed body should send a strong message to the Lebanese authorities that they must do much more to combat torture in detention,” said Aya Majzoub, Lebanon researcher at Human Rights Watch.

Thus, Majzoub has requested that those responsible for the torture and death of Al Saud be brought to justice in fair and transparent judicial procedures.

HRW –together with Legal Agenda, Amnesty International and the MENA Rights Group– have denounced that the defendants, who are four members of State security, are being investigated in military justice. “(This) lacks independence and has judges appointed by the Defense Minister,” they have criticized.

“Al Saud’s death during his detention at State Security requires a fair and thorough investigation before the ordinary judiciary, as the military justice system cannot deliver justice for his family,” Ghida Frangieh, head of litigation, requested. of Legal Agenda.

The statement made public by the NGOs indicates that referring the investigation to a military court is contrary to International Law: the crimes committed by members of the Judicial Police in the performance of their duties as assistants to the public are prosecuted solely in the jurisdiction of ordinary justice.