By Rakan Al Fakih
HERMEL, Lebanon: Investigative Military Judge Fadi Sawan announced Tuesday that he would seek the death penalty against 37 individuals, including the mayor of Arsal, implicated in the killing of two soldiers in the town earlier this year. Sawan issued an indictment in killing of Capt. Pierre Bashaalani and 1st Sgt. Ibrahim Zahraman who were ambushed by gunmen while patrolling the town of Arsal near the Syrian border on Feb. 2.
Sawan issued arrest warrants for 53 defendants for murder, attempted murder, assaulting military personnel, theft of weapons and ammunition, theft of personal papers and property belonging to the two soldiers, and possession of weapons and explosives.
Sawan also issued search and investigation warrants against 16 people whose full identities remain unknown.
Several Arsal officials who spoke to The Daily Star stressed that Sawan’s request was not a final verdict, adding that town leaders would hold a meeting tomorrow to decide what to do next.
Mayor Ali Hujeiri declined to comment on the indictment, saying he would wait until a final decision was issued. Hujeiri has twice failed to appear in court as a witness.
Deputy Mayor Ahmad al-Fliti, said he hoped the judge would reconsider, but warned that the wanted individuals would not submit easily.
“I don’t think [the indictment] will have a direct affect on the security situation in the town because those named in it can disappear,” Fliti said. “This area is very mountainous and it’s difficult for the security forces to reach.”
Baker al-Hujeiri, the local coordinator of the Future Movement in Arsal, urged caution, emphasizing the importance of preserving the town’s good relationship with the security forces, but added: “This indictment will raise tensions in town because no one can guarantee the reaction of people sentenced to death.”
The attack that killed Zahraman and Bashaalani followed the arrest of local fugitive Khaled Hmayyed, who was wanted on terrorism charges. Hmayyed was killed during the shoot-out.
Residents of Arsal have denied involvement in the ambush.

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10/07/2013
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