Graffiti calling for the release of Lebanese prisoner George Abdallah appeared on the walls of the French cultural center in Sidon, south Lebanon Thursday morning.
The slogan “Freedom to George Abdallah” was daubed in black paint on the walls of the building, which is protected by a low wall.
Stencil portraits of Abdallah were also sprayed onto the institute’s window and a French flag had been torn down and left on the ground.
The assault came hours before several protests were scheduled to take place Thursday at French cultural centers across Lebanon to protest against the delay in Abdallah’s release.
Supporters of Abdallah announced they would hold rallies at French cultural institutes in Sidon and Deir al-Qamar at midday Thursday, and four other protests outside the French institutes in Tyre, Nabatiyeh, Tripoli and Baalbek at 4 p.m. the same day.
Although Abdallah was granted parole by a French court last week, his release was delayed after the French Interior Ministry refused to sign the deportation order.
In a statement issued Wednesday, the International Campaign to Free George Abdallah called for all branches of the French Cultural Institute in the country to be closed in protest at the decision.
The statement said the campaign against French interests in Lebanon will only end when Abdallah is set free.
