Singer Turned Radical Fighter Fadel Shaker Gives Himself Up to Lebanese Military Following 12 Years in Hiding
One ex- pop star who turned into a wanted radical Islamist fighter has turned himself in to Lebanese military intelligence after spending over a decade evading authorities.
Context of the Situation
Fadel Shaker had been in hiding since bloody confrontations erupted in the summer of 2013 in the port city of Saida, involving Sunni Muslim militants against the national military.
He was tried while absent and given to over two decades in jail in the year 2020 for providing support to a terrorist group.
The Surrender Event
On Saturday night, a army intelligence unit arrived at one of the entrances of the refugee settlement of Ain al-Hilweh near Sidon and apprehended the fugitive into custody.
Security and judicial officials stated that Shaker had been taking refuge inside the refugee settlement for over 12 years.
The handover took place following arrangements between mediators and officials at the ministry of defense.
Legal Implications
Authorities indicated that now that the defendant is being held by the government, the sentences that he was given while on the run will be voided.
Investigators will interrogate him in readiness to stand trial on new charges of committing offenses targeting army personnel.
Shaker's Previous Denials
During his years as a fugitive, Shaker had rejected claims of playing any role in the 2013 confrontations and maintained he never advocated violence.
2013 Confrontation
The 2013 shootout, which involved followers of hardline religious leader Sheikh Ahmad al-Assir against the Lebanese army, resulted in the loss of at least 18 soldiers and intensified communal strife in Lebanon between the two main Muslim communities.
Through a recording uploaded to the video platform on the second day of the urban conflict in Sidon, a unshaven Shaker called his enemies as pigs and dogs and mocked the army.
Professional Evolution
The artist rose to become a celebrity singer across the Arab world in 2002 with a chart-topping song.
Roughly a decade after, he fell under the influence of Assir and shocked followers by showing up alongside the radical preacher at rallies.
Subsequently, he declared that he was abandoning his music career to become closer to God.
Recent Developments
This past summer, the former singer, together with his son Mohammed, released a new song that went viral across the Arab world and accumulated over 113 million watches on YouTube.
Wider Implications
Shaker's handover comes as the national military began the process of gathering arms from the nation's dozen Palestinian settlements that have traditionally been off limits to government forces.
