Pop Star Turned Islamist Militant Fadel Shaker Gives Himself Up to Lebanese Military After 12 Years in Hiding
A former celebrity singer who turned into a wanted Islamist militant has turned himself in to Lebanese military intelligence after spending 12 years evading authorities.
Context of the Situation
Fadel Shaker had been in hiding since bloody street clashes broke out in June 2013 in the port city of Saida, pitting radical Sunni fighters against the national military.
He faced trial in absentia and sentenced to over two decades in jail in 2020 for offering assistance to a terrorist group.
Handover Event
On Saturday night, a Lebanese military intelligence force arrived at one of the entrances of the Palestinian refugee camp of Ain al-Hilweh near the city and took Shaker into detention.
Security and judicial officials stated that Shaker had been hiding inside the refugee settlement for over a dozen years.
This surrender took place after coordination between mediators and representatives at the Lebanese defence ministry.
Judicial Consequences
Officials explained that now that Shaker is being held by Lebanese authorities, the verdicts that he received while on the run will be voided.
He will be questioned in preparation to stand trial on fresh allegations of perpetrating crimes against the military.
Shaker's Previous Denials
During his years as a fugitive, the former pop star had denied having any involvement in the Sidon clashes and stated he did not support bloodshed.
The 2013 Incident
The 2013 shootout, which involved supporters of radical Sunni cleric Ahmad al-Assir against the national military, resulted in the deaths of at least 18 military personnel and deepened sectarian tensions in the country between the two main Muslim communities.
Through a recording uploaded to YouTube on the second day of the street fighting in the city, a unshaven Shaker called his opponents as pigs and dogs and mocked the army.
Professional Evolution
The artist became a pop star throughout the Arab world in the early 2000s with a chart-topping song.
Almost 10 years later, he fell under the influence of Assir and surprised followers by appearing alongside the hardline cleric at rallies.
Subsequently, he declared that he was abandoning singing to become closer to God.
Latest Updates
In July, the former singer, along with his son Mohammed, put out a fresh track that went viral throughout the Arab world and accumulated more than 113 million views on YouTube.
Wider Implications
Shaker's handover coincides with the national military initiated the process of collecting arms from the country's dozen Palestinian settlements that have traditionally been off limits to authorities.
