France Delays Release of Longest-Serving Political Prisoner Georges Abdallah
In a recent hearing held at Lanmezan prison, French authorities have once again postponed the release of Georges Ibrahim Abdallah, a Lebanese pro-Palestinian activist, who has been imprisoned for over 40 years. Abdallah, now 73 years old, is recognized as the world's oldest prisoner linked to the Middle East conflict. Despite being eligible for release since 1999, repeated requests have been denied by the public prosecutor, who continues to label Abdallah as a potential threat.
Abdallah was sentenced to life imprisonment in 1987 for his involvement in the assassination of Israeli diplomat Yaakov Barsimantov and American diplomat Charles Robert Day in 1982. His lawyer, Jean-Louis Challancet, criticized the French judiciary for what he described as a clear intent to keep Abdallah imprisoned until death. Challancet argued that the arguments presented by the National Anti-Terrorism Prosecutor's Office during the hearing were exaggerated and politically motivated, aimed at maintaining Abdallah's incarceration.
The prosecution's claims included assertions that Abdallah remained dangerous and had connections to terrorist organizations such as Hezbollah and Hamas. Challancet vehemently rejected these claims, stating that they were unfounded and served only to justify Abdallah's continued detention. He highlighted that the documents used in court were not credible and were based on dubious police reports, which have been challenged for years.
Abdallah's case has drawn attention not only from legal representatives but also from various international political figures. Significant external influences have reportedly played a role in the prolonged detention, including interventions from the U.S. and Israeli embassies. Notably, former U.S. Secretary of State Hillary Clinton and other American politicians have been mentioned as having influenced the case's trajectory, particularly when a conditional release was initially approved in 2013 but later blocked.
As the situation in the Middle East remains volatile, with recent escalations in conflict, Abdallah's lawyers fear that the current political climate may further complicate his chances for release. The upcoming deliberations set for November 15 are expected to be pivotal, as the French judiciary navigates the intersection of legal proceedings and geopolitical tensions surrounding the ongoing conflict in the region.
Abdallah's supporters view him as a symbol of resistance against U.S. and Israeli policies in the Middle East, and his prolonged imprisonment has become a focal point for discussions about political prisoners and justice in France.
