Beirut Criminal Court sets May 6 for verdict in Fadl Shaker and Ahmad al-Assir case

The Beirut Criminal Court, headed by Judge Bilal Dnawi and with counselors Judges Nadim al-Nashef and Sarah Brich as members, has set May 6 as the date to issue its ruling in the case concerning the attempted murder of Hilal Hammoud, the Saida official of the “Resistance Brigades,” in which singer Fadl Shaker, Sheikh Ahmad al-Assir, and four other defendants stand accused.

Today’s session, held at the Palace of Justice in Beirut, was devoted to hearing the submission of the representative of the Beirut Appellate Public Prosecutor’s Office, in addition to the pleading of counsel for the complainant, with both sides calling for the charges to be applied against all defendants.

In contrast, the pleadings of the defense lawyers for al-Assir, Shaker, and the other defendants focused on challenging the basis of the case, arguing that it lacks sufficient evidence and legal facts and is not grounded in established information that can be relied upon. They called for the proceedings against their clients to be dropped and for their acquittal on the grounds that no guilt had been proven.

At the conclusion of the session, the court decided to adjourn the trial until the date set for the verdict, on May 6.