Roumieh Rebellion to be Settled Today … Rifi: We Will Interfere Should Riots Break Out

Internal Security Forces chief Ashraf Rifi revealed that no injuries were reported during Saturday’s protest at Roumieh prison, adding that no one was taken hostage by any of the protestors.

He told An Nahar in remarks published on Sunday: “The inmates have demands and we are working on fulfilling them if they are justified.”

“Should the situation escalate into a riot, then we will intervene, but we usually allow 24 hours for such affairs to be settled,” he added.

The prison protest lasted until late Saturday night.

Earlier that day, several inmates clashed with wardens after a protest against "transfer and routine inspection procedures" inside Roumieh prison turned violent.

A security source told Agence France Presse that a prisoner protested against the procedures at noon when he clashed with one of the guards.

The squabble turned into rioting when the inmate threatened to harm himself if authorities do not meet his demands, the source said without saying what the prisoner was asking for.

Later other prisoners joined him and broke windows and burned mattresses inside their cells, the source told AFP.

Media reports said the situation was later brought under control.

The same prison has been the scene of several mutinies. Two years ago, seven wardens were held hostage before a peaceful resolution was negotiated.

Meanwhile, the Interior Ministry condemned the violence at Roumieh prison, noting that calling for the fulfillment of demands should not take a violent turn.

It revealed that for two years, it has been working on improving the conditions in the prison after years of “chronic neglect.”

It demanded the government and concerned ministries to also assume their responsibilities in this affair.

A meeting was held at midnight Saturday between caretaker Interior Minister Ziad Baroud and Prosecutor General Judge Saeed Mirza to tackle the inmates’ demands.