In light of the recent judicial actions against journalist Layal El Ikhtiyar, former Bar Association president and MP Melhem Khalaf stated that "Lebanese law has established fundamental principles which, while not undermining press freedom, stipulate that if there is suspicion regarding a certain action, it must be subject to the law, which defines how such actions are addressed in the Court of Publications, not adhering to any summons outside of this framework." In an interview with "Wards," Khalaf emphasized that "the constitution protects public freedoms in Lebanon, especially press freedom, but these freedoms have fundamental restrictions, namely legal and procedural restrictions."
Three days after the outbreak of war in Gaza, El Ikhtiyar hosted Israeli military spokesperson Avichai Adraee live on air, which sparked an electronic and media campaign against her after recognizing him as "the spokesperson for the Israeli Defense Forces" and referring to him as "Mr. Adraee." This led the "Body of Prisoners' and Liberators' Representatives" to file a complaint against her in the military court on October 12. The complaint was filed by lawyer Ghassan al-Mawla on behalf of journalists and prisoners.
In a post on her X platform account, journalist Layal El Ikhtiyar announced that she had received a search and investigation warrant issued by the military prosecution in Lebanon, stating that her summons case is political, not judicial, emphasizing that "the reason for her pursuit is that she is fulfilling her professional duty while respecting the principles of journalism."
