Naharnet

Mashnouq Fears Recurrence of Roumieh Riots

Interior Minister Nouhad al-Mashnouq expressed concern on Friday that the recent riots at Roumieh prison would reoccur, urging the state to rectify the conditions of inmates and establish new facilities.

“I am not certain that the incident will not happen again,” Mashnouq said in comments published in al-Joumhouria newspaper.

He called for the “establishment of new prison facilities and rectifying the conditions of inmates” to prevent such riots.

A limited riot was staged by inmates in Roumieh's block D overnight on Monday. The riot came two days after a similar incident in the same facility on Friday that was led by the Islamist inmates.

They were reportedly demanding to be transferred again to the notorious block B, which is currently undergoing renovation.

Mashnouq told al-Joumhouria that he will announce the results of the investigation once the report is drafted.

He stressed that names will not be announced.

In January, security forces took full control of the prison's block B after storming the overcrowded facility and seizing illegal items from Islamist prisoners.

Prisoners were all transferred to block D, which has been renovated and has better security.

There were around 190 Fatah al-Islam prisoners at the notorious prison's block B, which was known as a virtual no-go zone for security forces, where prisoners had access to laptops, phones and money.

Roumieh, the oldest and largest of Lebanon's overcrowded prisons, has witnessed sporadic prison breaks in recent years and escalating riots in recent years as inmates living in poor conditions demand better treatment.

H.K.

G.K.


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