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Conflict Incident Report
Teenager detained for Whatsapp picture
Youssef Abdallah, 15, was detained after changing his profile picture on messaging service WhatsApp to an image containing text derogatory of Lebanon’s President Michel Aoun and his party.
On 19 June 2018, military intelligence summoned Youssef Abdallah and his father Georges for interrogation. Youssef was detained for interrogation, while his father was asked to leave, but refused to do so. He insisted on going back to the interrogation room where he saw his son handcuffed and blindfolded, without the presence of a lawyer or a social worker. A lawyer asked to be present during the interrogation, but the military did not allow him access to the teenager.
Youssef Abdallah was released the next day at midnight, after spending approximately 38 hours in detention. During this time, he was interrogated on the source of the image and whether he knew of any people who had insulted the president. Youssef reported hearing sounds of insults and screams while in detention.