Secret tone dominates Fadl Shaker’s trial session Media barred from attending the session

The military court has set the date for the first trial session of Lebanese singer Fadl Shaker for Thursday morning. The session will be held behind closed doors and in complete secrecy, according to a decision issued by the head of the military court, Brigadier General Wissam Fayyad.

The decision came after the approval of two requests submitted by Shaker’s legal representative, lawyer Amata Mubarak: the first concerned bringing forward the session date previously scheduled for February 3, and the second required that all sessions be held confidentially, barring media attendance, including journalists accredited to the military court.

Trial postponement Lebanon’s Criminal Court had previously decided to postpone the trial of Fadl Shaker, Sheikh Ahmad Al-Asir, and four other defendants in the attempted murder case of Sidon Resistance Brigades official Hilal Hammoud in 2013, to January 9, according to the National News Agency.

Reports explained that the postponement was due to the incomplete litigation process and the failure to notify some defendants of the session date, with a new date to be set later for resuming the trial.

The military court had previously set Tuesday, November 25, as the start date for Shaker’s trial on four cases, related to membership in and financing of an armed group (Ahmad Al-Asir’s group), possession of unlicensed weapons, and undermining state authority and prestige.

Fadl Shaker surrenders It is noted that Fadl Shaker surrendered himself to the Lebanese army on October 5 at the entrance of Ain al-Hilweh camp during the Abra events of 2013, which witnessed violent clashes between supporters of Ahmad Al-Asir and the Lebanese army, resulting in the deaths of 18 soldiers and 11 militants, before the army took control of the complex used by Al-Asir and his supporters as a headquarters. Shaker hid in Ain al-Hilweh camp for years.

Fadl Shaker in brief Born in Sidon in 1969 to a Lebanese father and a Palestinian mother, Shaker is considered one of the most prominent Arab singers of his generation. He became famous for his romantic songs before announcing his retirement in 2012. In 2020, two default military court rulings were issued against him, the first sentencing him to 15 years in prison with hard labor, and the second to seven years with a fine. Shaker, through his lawyer, denied these charges, stating he did not participate in the shooting at the army during the Abra events.

Despite his judicial background, Shaker recently returned to the music scene with new works, including the song "Keefak A’ Firaqi," which gained widespread popularity among his fans.