French Court to Decide on Release of Lebanese Activist Georges Abdallah

The French judiciary will deliver a final decision on July 17 regarding the potential release of Georges Ibrahim Abdallah, a Lebanese national imprisoned for four decades in connection with the 1982 assassinations of two foreign diplomats. The ruling follows a postponed verdict initially expected in February, with the Paris appeals court revisiting the matter in a closed-door session this week.

Abdallah, now 74, was convicted and sentenced to life imprisonment in 1987 for his role in the killings of U.S. military attaché Charles Robert Ray and Israeli diplomat Yacov Barsimantov. His imprisonment stems from his activities as part of the Lebanese Armed Revolutionary Factions, a pro-Palestinian militant group that operated in Europe during the early 1980s. The group claimed responsibility for a series of politically motivated attacks.

Eligibility and Opposition to Release

Although Abdallah has technically been eligible for parole since 1999, multiple release petitions have been denied. A major point of contention in the case has been the opposition of the United States, which remains a civil party to the legal proceedings and has consistently objected to his release. In contrast, Lebanese authorities have frequently advocated for his return, arguing he has served sufficient time.

In late 2024, a French court approved Abdallah’s release, stipulating that he must immediately leave France upon his release. That ruling was swiftly contested by national anti-terrorism prosecutors who cited concerns over Abdallah’s political ideology, arguing that he had not demonstrated a shift away from the militant convictions that led to his original sentencing. The appeal from the prosecution led to the automatic suspension of the release order.

Compensation Dispute and Legal Developments

The court’s delay in February was attributed to a pending issue concerning financial compensation for the victims’ families. Abdallah, who has long maintained his identity as a political fighter rather than a criminal, had not previously provided proof of having met this legal requirement.

During the latest hearing, his attorney submitted records indicating that Abdallah’s prison account holds approximately €16,000, which he stated is available to meet any compensation obligations to the civil parties in the case.

His legal counsel reiterated the stakes of the ruling, asserting that after 40 years of incarceration and eligibility for parole over two decades ago, continued detention was effectively equivalent to a life-ending sentence. The attorney urged the court to either proceed with Abdallah’s release or acknowledge the severity of indefinite imprisonment.

One of France’s Longest-Serving Inmates

Abdallah, who was first detained in 1984, is among the longest-held prisoners in the French penal system. Most inmates serving life sentences are typically released after serving between 25 to 30 years. His continued incarceration has drawn international attention, particularly among human rights organizations and political activists in Lebanon and beyond.