Conflict Incident Report

Protesters Thursday evening briefly cut off major roads in Beirut, angered by a court decision to release a former minister on bail who was convicted of terror charges last year. The police's Traffic Management Center said protesters had cut off the Barbir intersection in both directions with burning tires, while al-Jadeed TV reported that the Cola intersection was blocked with trash canisters. The two intersections are linked with Saeb Salam Avenue, more commonly known as Corniche al-Mazraa. Police later reopened the roads. A road next to the Sports City stadium not far from Cola was also cut off with burning tires. Ex-Information Minister Michel Samaha, who was convicted of terrorism charges early last year, was released Thursday after the Military Court of Appeals decided to grant him bail. A judicial source told The Daily Star that the court unanimously agreed to the request to release Samaha on a LL150 million ($99,463) bail, made by head of the Military Appeals Court Tony Lattouf. Despite the decision to release him, his trial will continue. Samaha was banned from leaving the country or speaking to the media, pending a verdict on his case, the source added. http://www.dailystar.com.lb/News/Lebanon-News/2016/Jan-14/331974-demonst...