French Court Approves Release of Lebanese Militant After Nearly 40 Years in Jail

 

A Paris Appeals Court has approved the release of Georges Ibrahim Abdallah, a Lebanese militant who has been jailed since 1987 for the murders of U.S. and Israeli diplomats. Abdallah, 74, led the Lebanese Armed Revolutionary Factions and was convicted for the 1982 assassinations of U.S. military attaché Charles Ray and Israeli diplomat Yacov Barsimantov in Paris. He was also involved in the 1984 attempted killing of U.S. Consul General Robert Homme in Strasbourg.

The court ruled on Thursday that Abdallah would be released on July 25 if he leaves France. He is expected to be deported to Lebanon. Abdallah has remained unapologetic over the years and is a known supporter of the Palestinian cause. His lawyer claims he has disbursed about 16,000 euros toward compensating victims’ families, though both the U.S. Department of Justice and French prosecutors argue the amount is not sufficient and not paid directly by Abdallah. Despite previous rejections of his parole requests eight in total the court now says he poses no serious threat of future terrorism and has behaved irreproachably in prison. The move still faces strong criticism from the U.S. government, which considers Abdallah's release a potential threat to American diplomats. The court's February hearing included concerns over compensation, though Abdallah will ultimately not be required to pay further damages.

See also: Greece Arrests Three Tied to Cocaine Cargo Ship Seized by Spain in 2023

The planned release of Georges Ibrahim Abdallah marks a controversial chapter in France's handling of convicted terrorists. Abdallah’s detention has been a long-standing issue between France, the U.S., and Lebanon. His supporters view him as a symbol of anti-imperialist resistance, while his critics emphasize the gravity of his crimes and potential security risks. Washington has maintained that releasing Abdallah could endanger U.S. personnel abroad, especially amid growing regional tensions. The U.S. Department of Justice highlighted Abdallah’s continued statements of allegiance to resistance movements and his intention to return to his Lebanese hometown near the Syrian border. This region is currently sensitive due to heightened tensions involving Hezbollah and Israel, reinforcing U.S. objections to his release. Despite these concerns, the French legal system has prioritized the conditions of his parole namely that he exits the country. The court in November noted his good behavior and lack of extremist activity while incarcerated. Abdallah’s case has also been the subject of political activism in Lebanon, where several groups have pushed for his release for years. No official response has been given yet by the U.S. or Lebanese embassies. It also remains unclear whether further legal steps will be taken to block or delay his release. While the legal process has concluded for now, the diplomatic and political implications are still unfolding. Abdallah’s release is expected to rekindle debates about justice, security, and international cooperation in terrorism-related cases, especially between France and the United States. As of now, preparations for his deportation are underway, but the broader consequences of the court’s decision may take much longer to play out.

See also: Strike on Gaza’s Only Catholic Church Injures Several, Conflicting Reports on Fatalities