French Judiciary to Review Parole Request for Longest-Serving Political Prisoner
The French judiciary is set to review a new request for parole on Monday for Georges Ibrahim Abdallah, a Lebanese man who has been incarcerated for over 40 years. Abdallah, who is recognized as the world's oldest political prisoner, was convicted for his involvement in the assassinations of American and Israeli diplomats during the 1980s. Despite being eligible for release since 1999, his parole requests have consistently been denied.
Abdallah's legal representative, Jean-Louis Challancet, advocates for his release, emphasizing that Abdallah fears for his safety if he remains in France. Challancet has called for Abdallah's deportation to Lebanon, stating that it is time for the long-serving prisoner to return home. Abdallah, now 73, was a member of the Popular Front for the Liberation of Palestine when he was arrested in 1984. He was sentenced to life imprisonment in 1987 for his role in the assassination of American diplomat Charles Robert Day and Israeli diplomat Yaakov Barsimantov in Paris, as well as an attempted assassination of the American Consul General in Strasbourg.
In 2013, the French judiciary initially agreed to release him, contingent on his deportation to Lebanon. However, the necessary deportation order from the French Interior Ministry was never issued, resulting in Abdallah's continued imprisonment. His recent attempts to engage with the French Interior Minister Gérald Darmanin regarding his release have not yielded any responses.
Political dynamics also play a role in Abdallah's continued incarceration. Analysts suggest that American influence is a significant factor, as the U.S. has historically opposed his release and filed lawsuits against him. In a show of support, 28 French left-wing MPs issued a statement in May 2023 urging the government to reconsider Abdallah's detention, which they argue has exceeded all standards of justice. Meanwhile, solidarity demonstrations continue outside the Lanmezan prison, where Abdallah is held.
