Lebanese activists face judicial persecution in Lebanon after criticizing Hezbollah

Two Lebanese activists, Mahmoud Shuaib and Dr. Alfred Riachi, are facing legal action in Lebanon after Hezbollah-affiliated lawyers filed complaints against them for criticizing the group and supporting normalization with Israel. Shuaib, a Shi'ite critic, was arrested on charges of “espionage” and criticism of the judiciary, though he was later released. His daughter was previously abducted by Hezbollah in 2021. Riachi, a federalist advocate, is being prosecuted for an X post suggesting a “#PathToPeace meeting” with Israel, which he confirmed was interpreted as supportive of peace. Lawyer Nadim Yusuf Al-Boustani stated that the campaign against Riachi constitutes “systematic persecution to suppress public freedoms in Lebanon.”