Georges Abdallah, Europe's Longest-Serving Political Prisoner, May Be Released After 40 Years
After 40 years in prison, Europe's longest-serving political prisoner, Georges Abdallah, may finally be released.
A Lebanese citizen, Abdallah was arrested in France in 1984 and convicted of complicity in the murders of an American military attaché and an Israeli diplomat. He has always maintained his innocence, claiming that he was tortured into confessing.
Abdallah's case has been the subject of intense debate and controversy over the years. His supporters argue that he is a political prisoner who was unjustly convicted. They point to the fact that he was convicted on the basis of a confession that he says was obtained under torture. They also argue that the charges against him were politically motivated.
Abdallah's opponents argue that he is a dangerous terrorist who should not be released. They point to the fact that he was convicted of complicity in the murders of two people. They also argue that he is a member of a terrorist organization, the Popular Front for the Liberation of Palestine (PFLP).
In recent years, there has been growing pressure on the French government to release Abdallah. In 2013, the European Court of Human Rights ruled that Abdallah's detention was arbitrary and violated his rights. The French government has since agreed to release Abdallah, but only if he is deported to Lebanon. Lebanon has not yet agreed to accept Abdallah, and it is unclear when or if he will be released.
