Prisoners linked to Abra clashes released after serving sentence

BEIRUT: Four prisoners who had been detained for aiding extremist groups in clashes against the Lebanese army in Sidon in 2013 were released Wednesday from Jezzine prison after serving their sentence.

The detainees were identified as Mohammad Saadeddine Hariri, Fadi Mohammad Abou Dahr, Fouad Maarouf Afara and Mohammad Ahmad Badiri.

The four detainees were arrested for aiding militants affiliated with preacher Ahmad Al Assir but were not directly involved the fighting against the Lebanese army.

The clashes between Al Assir militants and the Lebanese army resulted in 60 casualties including 40 militants.

56 militants were arrested that same year for participating in the battle.

Al Assir was charged in 2014 for forming terrorist cells and planning to assassinate political and spiritual figures as well as inciting attacks against the military.

The militant preacher was apprehended by General Security at Beirut airport in August 2015 as he tried to flee Lebanon.