Samaha Seeks to Withdraw Testimony during Retrial

Former Minister Michel Samaha on Thursday sought to withdraw his testimony to the Internal Security Forces on the terrorist plot that he was convicted for in May.

Samaha told the court during his retrial that he “cannot confirm his testimony to the Intelligence Branch because his mind was not clear when it raided his house” at the time of his arrest in August 2012.

He said the police officers terrorized him and began shouting during his questioning.

In April, Samaha admitted that he had transported explosives from Syria into Lebanon with the aim of targeting Lebanese politicians and religious figures.

But the pro-Damascus politician claimed that he fell into an intelligence trap by an informant.

A month later, the military court sentenced him to four-and-a-half years of hard labor and stripped him of his civil rights, drawing the anger of several politicians.

Coming under pressure, Military Prosecutor Judge Saqr Saqr filed an appeal into the sentence and the Military Court of Cassation approved it.

After hearing his testimony on Thursday, the judge adjourned Samaha's trial to September 17.

G.K.

M.T.