Pro-Palestinian convict freed by France after 41 years
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Georges Abdallah, jailed for killing diplomats, freed after 41 years and sent to Lebanon.
Pro-Palestinian militant Georges Abdallah freed after 41 years in French prison
A Symbolic Release After Four Decades
Georges Abdallah, a 74-year-old Lebanese teacher and militant, was released by France on Friday after spending 41 years in prison. A long-time supporter of the Palestinian cause, Abdallah had become a symbolic figure on the far left, known for his unwavering stance on resistance and Marxist-Leninist ideology. His release marks the end of one of the longest incarcerations in Europe tied to the Israeli-Palestinian conflict.
Conviction and Forgotten Legacy
In 1987, Abdallah was convicted for complicity in the 1982 killings of U.S. diplomat Charles Ray and Israeli diplomat Yakov Barsimantov, both of whom were shot in France. The group responsible, the Lebanese Armed Revolutionary Factions (LARF), also carried out additional attacks, including a car bombing that killed two French bomb-disposal experts. Abdallah always denied direct involvement in the murders but staunchly defended the political motivations behind the actions.
A Lifelong Struggle in Prison
Abdallah was eligible for parole as early as 1999. However, he remained imprisoned due to continuous rejections, which supporters claimed were the result of U.S. and Israeli pressure on the French government. Despite his lengthy incarceration, Abdallah remained mentally strong by focusing on the Palestinian cause. In an interview with AFP, he explained, “If I had not had that… well, 40 years – it can turn your brain to mush.”
Continued Support from the Left
Though largely forgotten by the broader public, Abdallah remained a revered figure among Marxist-Leninist circles. Each year, supporters gathered outside his prison in the Pyrenees demanding his release. His image was often displayed at leftist rallies, and three municipalities even named him an honorary citizen. Nobel laureate Annie Ernaux was among his high-profile supporters, calling his prolonged imprisonment a stain on France’s justice system.
Missed Opportunities for Release
In 1984, Abdallah was arrested in Lyon while carrying false documents. At the time, Lebanon was ravaged by civil war, and Israel had invaded southern Lebanon twice in an effort to expel Palestinian fighters. Abdallah believed he was being followed by Israeli agents and voluntarily entered a police station. Initially held on minor charges, he was nearly freed in a proposed prisoner exchange, but a weapons cache, including the murder weapon, was found in his Paris flat, halting the process.
Controversial Political Pressure
Abdallah’s most promising chance at freedom came in 2013, when a French court approved his release. However, U.S. Secretary of State Hillary Clinton intervened, writing to the French government to find a legal route to block the decision. France’s then-Interior Minister Manuel Valls refused to sign the necessary expulsion order, and Abdallah remained behind bars.
Final Legal Decision and Repatriation
This year, a French appeals court ruled that Abdallah’s extended detention was “disproportionate” and that he no longer posed any threat. The court also mandated that his release be immediately followed by deportation. Early Friday morning, Abdallah was flown from southern France to Beirut, marking the end of a case that spanned over four decades.
A Divisive Legacy
Abdallah’s release has sparked varied reactions. His lawyer, Jean-Louis Chalanset, called it a long-overdue act of justice and criticized previous governments for yielding to foreign influence. Former intelligence chief Yves Bonnet echoed the sentiment, stating Abdallah was treated “worse than a serial killer.” According to Le Monde, Abdallah has now served longer than any Palestinian prisoner in Israel.
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