Justice Minister Ashraf Rifi noted that detainees over the Nahr al-Bared clashes who are currently obstructing the course of justice must attend their trials, noting that two choices can be adopted so as to make sure they appear before the judiciary:

“The first option would be to convince them that solving their cases is in their best interests,” he said, adding that the second option would be to have ISF officers bring them in for trial.

Rifi blamed political and judicial authorities for the 5-year delay that dragged on the trials, noting that such a display is unacceptable from a logical standpoint.

As for the captive servicemen’s case, Rifi voiced disappointment over the negotiations’ effect on the Nahr al-Bared detainees’ actions, noting that they currently believe it is better for them to be released as a result of a swap instead of being tried for their crimes.

“The negotiations currently underway in regards to the swap are serious,” he said, adding that they will be kept confidential until the swap is completed.