Hanna”s Killer Released in Line with Legal Norms, Uproar Politically Motivated
Hizbullah MP Hasan Fadlallah said Thursday that the release of army helicopter pilot Samer Hanna took place in line with "all legal norms," adding that the ensuing uproar was politically motivated.
Fadlallah”s comments came during a press conference he held at parliament.
"The uproar following the release of Capt. Hanna”s killer had nothing to do with the law, but was employed for political purposes," Fadlallah said.
The clamor also "targets the (Lebanese) army and the judiciary," he added.
The daily An Nahar said that despite objection from Judge Saqr Saqr, the military court under President Judge Brig. Gen. Nizar Khalil agreed on Tuesday to release Mustafa Hassan Muqaddim, 23, accused of "unintentionally killing" Hanna Aug. 28, 2008 when he mistook the Lebanese army helicopter Hanna was flying for an Israeli aircraft.
Fadlallah said Judge Rashid Mizher ruled that Muqaddim had "unintentionally" shot and killed Hanna and went on to explain the various legal phases that took place since Muqaddim turned himself in to judicial authorities.
He recalled the "painful and dangerous" incident that took place in Shiyah-Mar Mikhael Jan. 27, 2008 when Lebanese soldiers opened fire on protestors, killing nine and wounding several others.
Fadlallah reminded the general public that this unpleasant incident did not trigger uproar.
He tied Muqaddim”s release to the freedom of some of the army soldiers accused of involvement in the Mar Mikhael incident.