A short video that circulated widely on social media in Lebanon caused a major stir, showing the home of Lebanese singer Fadl Shaker in the Ain al-Hilweh refugee camp, shortly before he officially turned himself in to Lebanese authorities.

In the video, Shaker’s home appeared extremely modest, described by some as very simple, where he had lived for years in a small residence within one of the camp’s neighborhoods. The size of the home did not match the widespread fame he had achieved throughout his career. It resembled more of a “residential studio” accommodating one or two people at most, and included a narrow corner he used as a studio to record his songs.

The contrast between the simplicity of the space and Shaker’s musical creativity is striking, especially in songs that have garnered millions of views on social media platforms, such as “Keefak A’Faraqi”, “Sahhak Al-Shouq”, and “Ahla Rasma”.

An Emotional Moment

The camera focused on the glass window of the small living room, while a soft voice sang Fairuz’s famous song “Adeesh Kan Fi Nas”. The simple scene carried a strong emotional dimension, reflecting the artist’s life in his modest space and the calm that surrounds him away from the limelight.

Legal Developments

In the latest updates, informed sources confirmed that Lebanese Army Intelligence completed its investigations and officially submitted Shaker’s statements to Military Court Commissioner Judge Claude Ghanem. The head of the military court is expected to announce the date of Shaker’s first trial session in the coming days, likely starting early next week.

This step follows a review of the charges against him and his statements to army intelligence, particularly the previous absentia rulings, which were nullified legally after he voluntarily surrendered on October 4, aiming to settle his legal and judicial status.

Charges Against the Artist

The charges facing Fadl Shaker include:

• Participating in combat against the Lebanese Army during the Abra battle in 2013, from which he was acquitted by the military court in 2018.
• Joining and financing an armed group.
• Insulting a sister country.
• Money laundering, for which absentia rulings sentenced him to 22 years in prison in 2020.

Since the previous sentences were issued in absentia, they were legally voided upon his surrender, meaning he will face retrial on all charges. Given the importance of the case and the number of witnesses, the trial is expected to span multiple sessions, with the possibility of appeals and reviews by both the military public prosecution and Shaker himself.