Charges Against Saliba and 5 Security Personnel in Al-Rachid Escape Case

The Government Commissioner to the Military Court, Judge Fadi Akiki, has concluded the preliminary investigation into the escape of detainee Danny Al-Rachid from his detention facility at State Security last Wednesday evening and referred the case to the first military investigative judge, Fadi Sawwan, for interrogation. The prosecution has charged eight individuals, including four detained personnel, Al-Rachid, and three security personnel responsible for guarding the VIP protection department, with the crime of escape regarding Al-Rachid, and with charges of negligence and violation of military instructions for the three security personnel. The prosecution also included the officer in charge of the VIP protection department, who holds the rank of Brigadier General, who was detained and subsequently released, as well as a retired security officer working in his office. Judicial sources reported that the prosecution also included the Director-General of State Security, Major General Antoine Saliba, on charges of misuse of power and abuse of influence. Al-Rachid escaped on March 27 after being informed of the decision by the Public Prosecutor, Judge Jamal Al-Hijjar, to transfer him to Roumieh Prison, which sparked his anger, prompting him to express his willingness to stab himself with a knife rather than be moved to the central prison, according to legal sources. The evening after his escape, he was detained after the directorate's investigation, which allowed them to identify his hiding place within Syrian territory, and he was arrested following a joint coordination between the directorate and Syrian security agencies, and handed over to the General Security. After completing the procedures, he was transferred to State Security and subsequently to military jurisdiction. Prior to the prosecution of the eight individuals, a meeting was held between Judges Al-Hijjar and Akiki in the office of the Public Prosecutor at the Palace of Justice. It is worth mentioning that Al-Rachid was detained in connection with the assault by three individuals on agricultural engineer Abdullah Hanna on the main road in Zahle and the seizure of his firearm on December 7, 2023.