Lebanese militant Georges Ibrahim Abdallah to be released after 40 years in French jail
Longest-held inmate to leave prison and be deported on Friday, but will return to challenging circumstances in the Middle East.
One of France’s longest-held inmates, the pro-Palestinian Lebanese militant Georges Ibrahim Abdallah, is set to be released and deported on July 26th after more than 40 years behind bars for his involvement in the murders of two diplomats.
Abdallah was detained in 1984 and sentenced to life in prison in 1987 for the killings of US military attache Charles Robert Ray and Israeli diplomat Yacov Barsimantov in Paris.
The Paris Court of Appeal ordered his release on condition that he leaves French territory and never returns.
This decision follows years of opposition from the United States, which had been a civil party to the case.
Inmates serving life sentences in France are typically freed after fewer than 30 years.
After his release, Abdallah will be transported to Tarbes airport for a flight to Beirut.
His lawyer expressed happiness at his client’s upcoming release but acknowledged the difficult circumstances awaiting him in the Middle East.
Abdallah was detained in 1984 and sentenced to life in prison in 1987 for the killings of US military attache Charles Robert Ray and Israeli diplomat Yacov Barsimantov in Paris.
The Paris Court of Appeal ordered his release on condition that he leaves French territory and never returns.
This decision follows years of opposition from the United States, which had been a civil party to the case.
Inmates serving life sentences in France are typically freed after fewer than 30 years.
After his release, Abdallah will be transported to Tarbes airport for a flight to Beirut.
His lawyer expressed happiness at his client’s upcoming release but acknowledged the difficult circumstances awaiting him in the Middle East.
