Lawyers of Universal Syriac Union Party President Ibrahim Mrad file complaint against those responsible for distorting video comments

BEIRUT — President of the Universal Syriac Union Party (USUP), Secretary-General of the Christian Front, and Director of Suroyo TV in Lebanon Ibrahim Mrad stated that he will comply with the Lebanese judiciary for the second time, after recovering from a health issue.

Mrad reiterated that he did not oppose civil peace in his recent video comments and did not incite against the honorable Shiite community, as he has been accused of. On the contrary, he showed full solidarity and sympathy with the Shiite community, he said.

“When I was investigated the first time, I informed the judiciary that the video was fabricated. Regarding the war of ‘75, I only recalled the resistance of the Lebanese people against the foreigners who occupied our land,” Mrad proclaimed.

In the video, Mrad called on the Lebanese people to unite again, resist against those who have starved them and undermined the very concept of the state, and brought them to complete collapse.

He apologized to those whose feelings were hurt because of the distorted video and were unable to watch, or did not know about, the full video.

Mrad called on them to reconsider the truth, away from what is circulated on social media. It is important for the Lebanese people to see clearly if they are to defend their freedoms and ensure a just and equitable state.

USUP Secretary General lawyer Michel Mallo stated that Mrad’s lawyers filed a complaint on Monday against those responsible for selectively editing and distorting the video. He added that the complaint was accepted and Mrad’s compliance for the second time will take place in coordination between Mrad and his lawyers.

Background

Two weeks ago, USUP President and Secretary General of Christian Front of Lebanon Ibrahim Mrad was summoned to the Criminal Investigation Branch (CIB) to be questioned over comments he made in a video he published to Facebook.

In the video, Mrad called for the Lebanese state to be liberated from Iranian control and called on the Lebanese people to militarily confront Iranian-back Hezbollah.

After a series of transgressions and abuses targeting Christians in the country, Mrad released a video condemning the current situation. “The Lebanese people from all denominations must live in coexistence, separate from the armed militias that want to rule Lebanon,” he stated.

Hezbollah and its supporters selectively edited the full video released by Mrad and spread it via social media without its original context. Shortly afterwards, Mrad reportedly began receiving death threats.

The CIB summoned Mrad for interrogation about the content of the video.

Following six hours of questioning, Mrad was released. He was summoned again the following day.