Collective Action
Protest in front of Justice Palace demanding release of activists detained
The Army took several people into custody Thursday night. The precise number is unknown, but names circulating on social and local media included Paul Abou Hamad, Raymond Takla, Joseph Saab, Ralph Khawand, Julian Rouhana, Joseph Rouhana, Mario Bou Ghosn and Anthony Mhanna as reportedly arrested in Jal al-Dib.
At Beirut's Ring Bridge, the Army reportedly arrested Samer Mazeh and Ali Basal.
Family and friends of Mazeh and Basal gathered outside the Beirut Justice Palace Friday morning, demanding their release.
“One person from a group of Army Intelligence, wearing civilian clothes, approached Samer and initiated a scuffle. ... Ali Basal, [Mazeh’s] friend, interfered. We tried to stop them [from arresting Basal and Mazeh] but we couldn’t,” one of Mazeh’s friends said from outside the Justice Palace.
Outside Kesrouan’s Sarba barracks, a number of protesters gathered Friday morning to ask about the fate of people arrested overnight.