Khaberni - The trial of the Lebanese artist Fadel Shaker, on charges of incitement to murder, involvement in funding terrorism, and illegal possession of weapons, saw a new chapter after the court president Judge Bilal Dannawi decided to postpone it to April 24 next, to listen to the final arguments.
According to local press reports, the chances of the prominent singing star obtaining a "judicial settlement" that ends with acquittal have increased, especially after the plaintiff Halal Hamoud appeared for the first time in the courtroom and charged Shaker with having incited his murder in the "Sidon events", which Shaker strongly refuted.
The plaintiff claimed that "Fadel Shaker's role was limited to incitement using loudspeakers at Bilal bin Rabah Mosque, without seeing him directly at the scene of the events," a statement that was met with strong objection from Shaker from inside the dock, arguing that "the testimony is inconsistent with previous statements," and emphasizing that "what is being said against him is fabricated and constructed."
After the session was adjourned, Fadel Shaker broke his usual composure and went directly to the media, confirming that "his only goal by appearing before the judiciary was to completely clear his name, not to obtain any settlement or dismissal," asserting that "the case carries political backgrounds that go beyond the purely judicial framework."
It has been previously reported by legal outlets that the Lebanese judiciary recommended the dropping of charges of "funding terrorism," "insulting a brotherly state," and "money laundering" against the accused artist, which will have positive consequences on his final stance.
According to legal experts, the dropping of the personal lawsuit by the plaintiff Halal Hamoud against Fadel Shaker is considered a significant turning point in the course of the case, as the strength of the Lebanese singer's defense of himself and his engagement in what can be termed a "counterattack" will ultimately benefit him.
