Judiciary charges 11 soldiers, six civilians over deaths on Sunday protest

Source: Daily Star, 04-02-2008
BEIRUT: Lebanon's Military Tribunal took custody on Sunday of 11 soldiers and six civilians detained in connection with recent clashes that left eight people dead in the Mar Mikhael-Shiyyah area. Protests deteriorated into riots on January 27 after army troops opened fire, reportedly in response to gunfire from unidentified assailants, killing seven civilians and wounding scores of others, in what is being referred to as "bloody Sunday."
The government's representative at the Military Tribunal, Judge Jean Fahd, issued formal charges on Sunday detailing the degree of involvement of each of the suspects, who include three army officers. Judicial authorities had issued warrants for the arrest of the 17 suspects late Saturday.
Meanwhile, the Lebanese Armed Forces continued its preliminary investigations into the shootings, interviewing civilians and military personnel who were at the scene of the clashes on January 27.
A judicial source confirmed that the single event which "sparked the deterioration of the situation on the ground" was the shooting of Amal movement official Ahmad Hamza, who was coordinating with the army in an attempt to disperse the protesters.
The source told The Daily Star that Hamza had been shot once in the back by a Russian-made Kalashnikov rifle, which he said the Lebanese Army does not have in its arsenal.
"His shooting led to a violent reaction [from protestors] against the army, resulting in a large number of casualties," the source said. He added that the shot came from behind the victims, indicating that "other parties" had killed Hamza.
Fahd took the decision on Saturday to arrest three officers, two non-commissioned officers and six privates, as well as six civilians.
Fahd also ordered the release of 21 civilians and five minors on bail and exonerated three others. Investigations continue to determine the identities of three individuals suspected of inciting the riots.
Investigators have examined television and security camera footage and interviewed 85 civilians and 120 army soldiers. They have also examined weapons confiscated at or near the scene.