عربي English Türkçe اردو فارسى
Logo
Latest News
Arab World

Saddam Relative Arrested in Lebanon, Family Pleads Against Turning him over to Iraq

A plane flies in front the sunset behind the towers, in Beirut, Lebanon, Wednesday, Aug. 17, 2022. (AP)
A plane flies in front the sunset behind the towers, in Beirut, Lebanon, Wednesday, Aug. 17, 2022. (AP)
TT
TT

Saddam Relative Arrested in Lebanon, Family Pleads Against Turning him over to Iraq

A plane flies in front the sunset behind the towers, in Beirut, Lebanon, Wednesday, Aug. 17, 2022. (AP)
A plane flies in front the sunset behind the towers, in Beirut, Lebanon, Wednesday, Aug. 17, 2022. (AP)

News broke out in Lebanon on Friday of the authorities’ arrest of Abdullah Yasser Sabawi al-Hassan, the grandson of Sabawi Ibrahim al-Hassan, the step-brother of late Iraqi ruler Saddam Hussein.

Abdullah was arrested according to an Interpol arrest warrant that was requested by Iraq.

He was detained in Lebanon on July 11, revealed Saddam’s nephew, Saad Sabawi Ibrahim al-Hassan through posts on social media.

He pleaded with Arab and international rights groups to intervene to determine the fate of his nephew, whom he was said was “spitefully” arrested.

Lebanon’s General Security chief Abbas Ibrahim was quick to respond to the post, telling Iraqi television that he was arrested on charges of “carrying out criminal acts that left thousands dead.”

“We are working according to international law and repatriation agreements between nations,” he added.

He stressed that Iraq is a fraternal state to Lebanon and “we reject any act of impunity. We support the implementation of the law without any pressure. This is our duty towards the people of Iraq.”

In an attempt to cast doubt over the charges against Abdullah, Saad said his nephew had left Iraq in 2003 when he was just eight years of age.

He has since never returned to his country for several reasons, including being deprived of Iraqi nationality and all of his civil rights, continued Saad.

Abdullah had joined Saad when he was living in Yemen, which they were forced to quit due to the worsening security situation.

Abddullah chose to settle down in Lebanon, revealed Saad.

Upon his arrival, he was keen on submitting a request for protection from the United Nations. His request was approved.

Abdullah holds another nationality that is non-Iraqi. He lived in Lebanon for four years without coming under any harassment of pressure. He lived a calm life and did not cause any security or political tensions, continued Saad.

An informed judicial source in Lebanon revealed to Asharq Al-Awsat that General Prosecutor Ghassan Oueidat had received an Iraqi notice for Abdullah’s arrest through Interpol.

He ordered that Abdullah be arrested as soon as he was found.

After his arrest, he was turned over to the General Security, which will determine whether it is still legal for him to remain in Lebanon or whether he should be deported.

The source revealed that both Iraq and Yemen are demanding that he be turned over to them.

The decision now lies in the hands of the General Security chief and the judiciary is no longer involved, it added.

Abdullah’s family fears for his safety should be deported to Iraq.

Saad appealed to international organizations to intervene and “free” him.

Most Viewed

 
 
Arab World

Cairo May Request Extradition of Qaradawi’s Son from Abu Dhabi

Umayyad Square in Damascus (Reuters)
Umayyad Square in Damascus (Reuters)
TT
TT

Cairo May Request Extradition of Qaradawi’s Son from Abu Dhabi

Umayyad Square in Damascus (Reuters)
Umayyad Square in Damascus (Reuters)

As Lebanese authorities proceed with the deportation of Egyptian activist Abdel Rahman al-Qaradawi, the son of the late cleric Yusuf al-Qaradawi, to the United Arab Emirates, an Egyptian source involved in the case told Asharq Al-Awsat that Cairo plans to formally request his extradition from Abu Dhabi once he arrives there.

Controversy has surrounded the case since Lebanon announced that the government had approved the deportation of Qaradawi to the UAE instead of Egypt, where he holds citizenship.

Former Lebanese Foreign Minister Adnan Mansour explained to Asharq Al-Awsat that citizenship is not an obstacle in extradition cases between countries, saying that a state may decide to extradite a person to another country even if they hold the nationality of a third state, as in the case of Qaradawi’s son.

According to Lebanese sources, the decision to extradite Qaradawi to the UAE is based on a warrant issued by the Council of Arab Interior Ministers. As a member of the council, Lebanon is obligated to comply with the UAE’s request, despite the absence of a direct bilateral extradition agreement between the two countries.

Additionally, the extradition decision was influenced by the fact that the charges against Qaradawi are criminal, not political, as political charges would prevent extradition and instead warrant protection under international conventions.

An Egyptian judicial source told Asharq Al-Awsat that the International Cooperation Office of Egypt’s Public Prosecutor had prepared a comprehensive file containing all rulings issued against Qaradawi to ensure that the extradition request met all legal requirements. This file was sent to Lebanese judicial authorities through official channels. However, Egypt has yet to receive a response from Lebanon, though one is expected in the coming days.

Dr. Mohammed Mahmoud Mehran, a member of the American and European societies for international law, told Asharq Al-Awsat that international law generally allows extradition when the individual is either a citizen of the requesting state, has committed a crime on its territory, or when the requesting state has a direct legal interest in the case.

As Qaradawi is an Egyptian citizen, Egypt “has the legal right to request his extradition under international law and bilateral agreements, provided all legal conditions are met,” Mehran said.

Meanwhile, Qaradawi’s lawyer, Mohammed Sablouh, confirmed plans to file an urgent appeal in Lebanese courts to prevent his client’s extradition, according to Reuters. Mehran explained that extradition laws grant the individual the right to appeal in court, while the requesting states also have the right to challenge decisions.

Mehran suggested that if Qaradawi is ultimately handed over to the UAE, it is highly likely he will later be extradited to Egypt after procedural requirements in the Emirates are fulfilled. This is due to the strong bilateral relations and close security coordination between Egypt and the UAE.

Abdel Rahman al-Qaradawi, who holds dual Egyptian and Turkish citizenship, was arrested in Lebanon on December 28 after returning from Syria. His arrest followed an Interpol red notice issued based on an in absentia ruling by an Egyptian court sentencing him to five years in prison for spreading false news, inciting violence, and terrorism. Before his arrest, Qaradawi appeared in a video filmed at the Umayyad Mosque in Damascus, where he made remarks considered offensive to both Egypt and the UAE.