American-Lebanese man accused of torturing prisoners in South Lebanon freed with help of a US senator
In this Aug 3, 2005 file photo, inmates of the notorious Khiam Prison sit in their cell where they displayed their belongings during a sit-in at the prison in Khiam, southern Lebanon.
A US citizen who had faced decades-old murder and torture charges in Lebanon has been freed, a senator who had pushed for his release announced on Thursday. Senator Jeanne Shaheen, said in a statement that she had spoken with Amer Fakhoury on the phone soon after his release. His case had put a significant strain on already troubled ties between the US and Lebanon. Lawmakers in Washington had threatened to withhold critical aid to the country and impose sanctions on the Lebanese military, which is seen by the Trump administration as a bulwark against the Iranian-backed Hezbollah movement.
“Anytime a US citizen is wrongfully detained by a foreign government, we must use every tool at our disposal to free them,” Shaheen said in her statement. “I’m very glad that Amer is finally coming home and will be reunited with his family. No family should have to go through what the Fakhoury family has gone through.
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