Activists call for prosecution of Mikati over extradition of Egyptian poet
Activists have urged for the former Lebanese Prime Minister Najib Mikati to be prosecuted due to him supervising the extradition of the Egyptian poet and activist Abdulrahman al-Qaradawi to the UAE.
Campaigners are demanding for Mikati to be held legally responsible for his decision, referring to the possible risk of al-Qaradawi’s life while detained in the UAE, a country known for mistreating political dissidents, torture and forced disappeareances, The New Arab reported on January 14th.
Egyptian activist Taqaddum al-Khatib, said: “You no longer have immunity and you will be prosecuted and all your days will become nightmares. Netanyahu and his soldiers, who are more protected than you, are being prosecuted. So who do you think you are? You will be prosecuted and you will pay the price for your actions. We promise that we will do it.”
But there has not been an official report on whether Mikati will be tried or prosecuted.
The son of the late Muslim Brotherhood’s spiritual leader, Yusuf al-Qaradawi, the 55-year-old poet has been a major opposition activist in Egypt, having demonstrated against General Abdel-Fattah el-Sisi’s leadership.
Al-Qaradawi was first detained in Lebanon’s Masnaa border crossing On December 28th, according to his lawyer and Amnesty International. This took place after he had come back from Syria, where he celebrated the toppling of the Bashar al-Assad regime. The regime was overturned after a lighting offensive was executed by the opposition rebels in late November.
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On December 8th, the rebels captured Damascus which led to the end of the regime.
In front of the Umayyad Mosque in Damascus, Al-Qaradawi decided to celebrate and posted a video online which showed him criticising the governments of UAE, Saudi Arabia and Egypt.
On January 8th, Al-Qaradawi was extradited from Lebanon to the UAE.
This decision has reportedly been criticised by several NGOs, such as Amnesty International, who said the decision was “a troubling trend of exploiting international security cooperation as a tool to suppress fundamental freedoms and restrict individuals’ right to express their opinions.”
“Criticising the authorities is not a crime. If returned to Egypt Abdul Rahman al-Qaradawi would be at real risk of enforced disappearance, torture and other ill-treatment, and unfair trial leading to prolonged unjust imprisonment, he would also be at risk of arbitrary detention and other human rights violations if he is returned to the UAE.”
Mikati has previously faced allegations of money-laundering from two associations: The Collective Association of Victims of Fraudulent and Criminal Practices in Lebanon as well as a French anti-financial crime association, known as Sherpa. On April 3rd 2024, Mikati defended his “integrity” and “transparent” assets, in response to the accusations, Arab News via AFP reported.
During the voting process for Lebanon’s new prime minister, Mikati had reportedly only got nine votes by January 13th. Nawaf Salam was selected as the new PM and was backed by 68 of the lawmakers by the afternoon of January 13th, The New Arab and agencies reported.
The New Arab, Arab News via AFP
