France Asks Lebanon to Lift Diplomatic Immunity of Ambassador under Investigation for Rape and Violence
France has asked Lebanon to lift the diplomatic immunity of its ambassador to France, Rami Adwan, who is under investigation for alleged rape and violence against two former embassy employees.
The French Foreign Ministry has expressed the need for the Lebanese authorities to lift Adwan's immunity in order to facilitate the work of French judicial authorities.
According to French investigative website Mediapart, the investigation was based on a complaint filed by a former employee of the Lebanese Embassy named Ava, who claimed that she was raped by Adwan in May 2020.
Ava also alleged that Adwan assaulted her during a fight in his office.
Adwan has denied the allegations and claimed that Ava was trying to use their relationship to enhance her position within the embassy.
A second complainant, a 28-year-old Lebanese student named Gabrielle, has also come forward with allegations of physical assault against Adwan.
She claimed that she was subjected to a series of assaults, often resulting from her refusal to have a sexual relationship with him.
Adwan's lawyer denied the allegations and said that his client contests all accusations of aggression.
However, the Lebanese Foreign Ministry has not yet commented on the request from France to lift Adwan's immunity.