Jana El Hassan
France will postpone the deportation of George Abdallah, the head of the Lebanese Communist Party Khaled Hadadeh told The Daily Star Monday.
“We haven’t received the official documents from France but we have been informed that the procedures relating to his deportation have been postponed until Jan. 28,” Hadadeh said.
His comments come as friends, family and supporters of George Abdallah planned for his return to Lebanon Monday after 28 years in a French jail.
Abdallah, a leftist militant, was arrested in 1984 and later convicted by a French court of the 1982 killing in Paris of Israeli diplomat Yaakov Bar-Simantov and Lt. Col. Charles Ray, an American military attache.
Abdallah was also implicated in the attempted assassination of U.S. Consul General Robert Homme in Strasbourg in 1984.
Last week, a French court ruled Abdallah be released on condition he be deported back to Lebanon. The ruling marks the end of a legal battle spanning 10 years. The Lebanese national fulfilled the minimum requirement of his life sentence in 1999.
The French embassy in Lebanon Monday would not comment on the news of the postponement.
Hadadeh slammed the postponement, saying the leftist militant’s case had been politicized.
“This proves Abdallah’s case has been politicized,” said Hadadeh, lashing out at French authorities.
“They have been using the judiciary to hide the political reasons behind keeping Abdallah imprisoned. But now, as there is no longer judicial justifications for his imprisonment, politicians are starting direct interference,” said Hadadeh.
The LCP head argued France was fulfilling a U.S. desire that Abdallah remain imprisoned.
Last week, the U.S. envoy to France openly opposed Abdallah’s released and voiced disapproval of the news of his release.
Hadadeh Monday also lashed out at the Lebanese government, saying Beirut was failing to take any action.
“We urge the [country’s] top three leaders – President Michel Sleiman, Speaker Nabih Berri and Prime Minister Najib Mikati – to take action today and press for the deportation of Abdallah,” said Hadadeh.
“He is a Lebanese citizen. How come the state is not doing anything about his case?” he asked
Hadadeh said supporters of Abdallah are planning large-scale protests outside the French mission in Lebanon to press for the release of the 61-year-old.
“For us, Abdallah is no longer a prisoner, he has been kidnapped by France and we will stage protests outside the French Embassy in Lebanon to put pressure for his return,” he said.
Security sources told The Daily Star that the authorities are taking precautions in the event protests take place outside France’s mission in Lebanon.
On Sunday, Friends, Family and supporters of Abdallah were preparing for his return, with receptions planned at the airport and in his home village of Qobaiyat, organizers said.
Hadadeh said Monday that his party would continue to work toward securing Abdallah’s release.
“The deportation order has been postponed,” said Hadadeh. “But, we vow to take action... we will not keep silent on this matter,” he added.
