New Death Reported at Roumieh Prison

The Families of Prisoners in Lebanon Committee announced the death of inmate Benjamin Zaaiter inside Roumieh Prison, bringing the number of deaths in Lebanese prisons to seven since the general amnesty law was passed on August 12, according to the committee.

The committee said Zaaiter, who was in his forties, died on Wednesday night in Building D at Roumieh Prison following a health emergency. It said he had been suffering from kidney failure and required specialized medical and hospital care.

The committee added that inmates had urged the prison administration to provide an ambulance immediately, accusing the authorities of failing to respond quickly enough.

Around 530 prisoners in Lebanon have been on an open-ended hunger and medication strike for the 19th consecutive day. The remaining inmates in Building B have also joined the strike, preventing any food or supplies from being brought into the building and declaring a complete lockdown. Inmates in Building D at Roumieh and detainees at Baalbek Prison have also joined the strike.

A spokesperson for the prisoners said the number of critical cases among those on strike had risen to 51, adding that the humanitarian situation has become tragic.

The Families of Prisoners Committee called on the Constitutional Council to end the suspension of the general amnesty law and reinstate it, holding the legal challenge against the law responsible for the prisoners’ continued suffering.

The committee also said that inmate Monzer Sharif died at Zahle Prison the day after the law was passed, adding that it had not received an explanation at the time regarding the circumstances of his death.