Back in 1994, Youssef Shaaban was convicted for shooting a Jordanian diplomat in Beirut and got life sentence in prison.
In 2002, a court in Jordan found that others were responsible for the murder and convicted them! So logically speaking, Youssef Shaaban turned out to be innocent, however it was impossible to release him since the issued rulings could be overturned unless by a presidential pardon.
Three days ago, president Michael Sleiman pardoned Youssef Shaaban and he was granted freedom yesterday in Beirut.
That was in brief the story of Youssef Shaaban.
I have seen in the media how everyone was giving credits to the president for pardoning him, but I was thinking what if Youssef Shaabad was really the one behind killing the diplomat?
In a special episode of Kalam El-Nas with Marcel Ghanem last night, Shaaban himself admitted that he played a “role” in the Lebanese civil war in addition to being a member in Hamas. Remember that the reason behind the assassination of the Jordanian diplomat was because Jordan and Israel were in negtiations to sign a peace treaty, that’s a good motive for Hamas to commit the crime no?
In addition, those who are supposed to be the real murderers were executed in Jordan, and god knows how did the Jordanian police (maybe) made them admit they were responsible for the assassination. Now how can you assure that Youssef Shaaban is innocent? The Lebanese judicial council made a mistake by convicting Shaaban, so how can you assume the Jordanian rulings were flawless?
To me the crime is still a mistery. Think of it, the guy might really be the one behind the assassination.
Erm… what if he is a murderer?
Then at least he got some jail tail, which is more than I can say for some our glorious leaders in parliament.
That would be jail time. Although maybe he got some jail tail too. Or was the tail. Either way.
Well technically, he was arrested for his role in killing the Jordanian diplomat. He’s innocent of that. He was not charged for other crimes and therefore should not be held for crimes he hasn’t been sentenced or charged with.
Firstly, the diplomat was making negotiations with Israel, he shoudn’t have been killed but I’m not very saddened.
Secondly, the case is a mystery. It appears the Lebanese released him only because another country charge someone else. Who knows the truth?!?
Thirdly, what evidence did the Lebanese authorities have to convict someone of murder in the first place? If now released what happened to this original evidence??? That must be explained to the public
Finally, I don’t think Lebanon is at a maturity level to ask about justice for one man’s death… In Lebanon convicted killers are now leaders of political parties. When there is integrity in the people’s choice of leaders there will be integrity in the justice system… Until then, the president will remain a busy man!
The real assassin got convicted and was proved to be the real killer, and is now being held in prison. Shaaban stayed in prison during the whole trial of the real assassin. Even though Shaaban had a role in the Lebanese Civil War, well, now he’s done his time.