Mahmoud Al-Khatib Confirms That Fadl Shaker Had No Involvement in Foreign Deals Mahmoud Al-Khatib: "The Most Serious Allegations Concern Funding Ahmed Al-Asir’s Group"

Journalist and art critic Mahmoud Al-Khatib, a close friend of Lebanese singer Fadl Shaker, explained the reason behind the singer’s recent appearances wearing sunglasses, confirming that it is due to his struggle with diabetes, which has affected his eyesight and made him unable to tolerate bright lights, forcing him to wear sunglasses continuously.

Regarding Fadl Shaker’s legal case, Al-Khatib stated in a podcast interview that current developments could lead to Shaker’s acquittal before his scheduled military court session in Lebanon on Tuesday.

He noted that the singer voluntarily turned himself in to the Lebanese army on October 4, denying any connection to foreign deals, and explained that political changes in Lebanon prompted Shaker to resolve his legal matters personally.

Al-Khatib added: "He is currently at the Ministry of Defense, being investigated by law-abiding officials. The charges could be resolved in a single session, and he might be released before the end of December."

Charges Against Fadl Shaker

Regarding the charges, Al-Khatib clarified that the accusation of insulting a sisterly state was dropped after the fall of Bashar Al-Assad’s regime. He also ruled out the possibility of the death penalty or long-term imprisonment for the charge of joining an armed group, while considering the incitement charge to be minor.

He explained that the most serious allegation concerns funding Ahmed Al-Asir’s group, noting that Al-Asir was not classified as a terrorist before June 23, 2013, making the timing of any support legally crucial. Al-Khatib added: "If support was provided before that date, there is no legal problem; if it continued afterward, the charge remains valid."

Al-Khatib also referred to Shaker’s 2018 acquittal from charges of killing army soldiers and terrorism, citing military officials’ testimonies that confirmed the singer had left Al-Asir’s group ten days before the Abra battle to oppose the group’s escalation against the army—something Shaker himself firmly affirmed.