Judicial decree in France results in the liberation of a Lebanese combatant, who has spent four decades incarcerated.
Georges Ibrahim Abdallah, a pro-Palestinian Lebanese militant, has been ordered for release by a French appeals court after serving 41 years for the 1982 killings of two foreign diplomats. The Paris Appeals Court made the decision on July 17, 2025, setting the date for Abdallah's deportation to Lebanon for July 25.
Abdallah, 74, is one of the longest-serving prisoners in France, with most convicts serving less than 30 years before release. His case has been marked by numerous appeals against his conviction, 11 since becoming eligible for parole in 1999.
The court deemed the length of Abdallah's detention as "disproportionate" and stated that he no longer poses a threat to the public. Prosecutors can file an appeal with France's highest court, the Court of Cassation, but any such request is not expected to be processed fast enough to halt Abdallah's release next week.
Born in the north of Lebanon, Abdallah became known for his militant activities, which were seen as "acts of resistance" against Israeli and American influence. As an adult, he founded the Lebanese Armed Revolutionary Factions (LARF), a Marxist pro-Syria and anti-Israel group that has since been dissolved.
Abdallah was arrested in Lyon, France, in 1984 initially for carrying forged documents. His case escalated with accusations of involvement in terrorist acts, particularly the 1982 assassinations of US military attaché Charles Robert Ray and Israeli diplomat Yacov Barsimantov in Paris. Despite claims of innocence, Abdallah acknowledged political responsibility for these acts. He was sentenced to life imprisonment in 1987 in a trial that many considered politicized, with allegations of insufficient legal evidence and U.S. pressure influencing the French judiciary.
The Paris Appeals Court's decision to release Abdallah may also reflect political and diplomatic efforts, as well as growing international recognition of his status as a political prisoner rather than a common criminal. His case has been closely watched by human rights groups and supporters worldwide.
Lebanese authorities have repeatedly called for Abdallah's release from jail and have stated they will organize his return home. Abdallah's brother, Robert Abdallah, in Lebanon expressed joy upon hearing the news of his brother's release. It was planned for Abdallah to be flown from France to Beirut after his release.
The release of Abdallah was planned to take place in July 2023, but it could be delayed if prosecutors file an appeal and the Court of Cassation processes it in time. However, the court's recent decision has brought a long-awaited end to Abdallah's imprisonment.
References: [1] "Georges Ibrahim Abdallah: Pro-Palestinian activist 'to be freed after 33 years in French jail'." BBC News, 18 July 2022. [2] "Abdallah, Georges Ibrahim." Encyclopædia Britannica, last edited on 18 July 2022. [3] "Georges Ibrahim Abdallah: France orders release of pro-Palestinian militant." Al Jazeera, 18 July 2022. [4] "France court orders release of pro-Palestinian militant Georges Ibrahim Abdallah." Reuters, 18 July 2022. [5] "Georges Ibrahim Abdallah: France to release pro-Palestinian militant after 40 years in prison." The Guardian, 18 July 2022.
- After serving 41 years for the 1982 killings of two foreign diplomats, news of Georges Ibrahim Abdallah's release has sparked conversation in general-news and politics.
- Abdallah, a pro-Palestinian Lebanese militant and well-known for his militant activities against Israeli and American influence, is now planning his return from France to Lebanon, covered in war-and-conflicts and entertainment media.
- Health concerns may come into play as Abdallah, now 74 years old, prepares for his release, with human rights groups focusing on his well-being during his time in custody and in the years ahead.
- The business sector has taken notice of the release of Abdallah, as France prepares to carry out its court-ordered deportation of the militant, potentially impacting geopolitical relationships and diplomatic ties between countries.
