Release of lawyer’s assailant amidst BBA ineffectiveness

Military Court Investigative Judge Hani Hajjar ordered yesterday the release of  police involved in the beating of lawyer Rania Ghaith for stopping at the red light in Kantari area of Beirut earlier this week and blocking the way of an alleged official car convey. The Judge did not ask for the coroner’s report which proves Gaith has been assaulted neither did he question her or summon witness Lawyer Nabil Younis, according to Al Akhbar daily. Sources present at the court session reported that Gaith was terrorized by the bodyguards who also appeared yesterday at the hearing. For his part, Wajis Masaad, representing Beirut Bar Association who accompanied Gaith to interrogation did not take a firm stand in support  because the BBA did not take the institution of civil action in the absence of its President and majority of Bar members who allegedly are away. Immediately after the release verdict was issued, a group of lawyers and civil activists headed to the BBA headquarters to meet with Masaad who advised them to wait for the return of the President but did not promise any serious action. It is to be recalled that the Lebanese Democratic Women Gathering issued a communiqué two days again in which it condemned the attack on lawyer Ghaith; (Women Democratic Gathering condemns assault on women lawyer and journalist). (Al Akhbar, 11 June 2015)