Guards Reportedly Taken Hostage as Protests Erupt at Roumieh Prison

Protests erupted on Sunday at Roumieh prison, Lebanon's largest prison facility, “after cellphones were confiscated from some inmates during an inspection of the prison and amid reports saying that some inmates will be transferred” to another location, state-run National News Agency reported.

“The situation is tense at the juvenile ward and reports said inmates could be holding some prison guards hostage,” NNA said.

Earlier, LBCI television reported that “protests erupted at the convicts building in Roumieh prison after reports said they will be transferred to another building.”

For it part, MTV said “some prisoners have taken hostage a number of guards at the juvenile ward in Roumieh.”

On December 8, several Roumieh inmates rioted to protest the treatment they are undergoing at the facility by some security guards, NNA reported.

NNA said back then that the offenders were supposed to be referred to the judiciary to take appropriate measures against them.

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