Demonstrator killed in Tripoli in showdown over media closure
Lebanon, Local, 9/22/1997

Lebanese Security forces killed Khaled Sabagh Wazze and injured three others who were demonstrating against the closure of the fundamentalist Islamic Tawheed movement's television station on September 21.

The Islamic Tawheed movement is under the leadership of Sheikh Saeed Shabaan who rejected the governmental order to stop broadcasts of Sawt Al Haq and al Hilal in accordance with a July 23 decision.

Shabaan had rejected the step and criticized the government for unfairly allowing other religiously-oriented media--Dar Alfatwa under Mufti Qabbani and al Bashaer radio under Shiite cleric Sayyed Mohammed Hussein Fadlallah--either to win licensing or to remain on the air while awaiting final approval.

After a day of efforts to reach a compromise failed, an anti-riot force approached the building at dawn on September 21, using tear gas and firing in the air to disperse an estimated 60 club-weilding demonstrators, who answered with rocks.

Three security personnel, including two officers, were injured by the missiles, prompting the force to storm the building and fire on the protesters.

The broadcasting facilities were closed and equipment confiscated, with the authorities maintaining that a cache of firearms, ammunition and hand grenades had been discovered in the building.

Approximately 90 people in area were detained, including two of Shabaan's sons.

The events were broadcast live on both unlicensed stations. The radio station announced that a suspicious gathering was nearing the building and images of helmets and waterhoses were picked up by Hilal when it became light.

At 5.50 am, the Sawt Al Haq announcer began to shout that an attack was underway, with the sound of gunfire becoming audible to the listeners.

Hilal TV went off the air at 7:05 a.m., followed five minutes later by Swat al Haq, while security forces left the building around 9:15 am, after removing the rooftop antenna and other broadcasting equipment.

Addressing reporters later, Shabaan lashed out at the government's handling of the affair.

"For three days we have called for dialogue and this was the only reply. The government sent us its soldiers and rifles. This is how it should deal with Israel, or with lawbreakers," Shabban said.

When Wazze's 5,000 strong funeral procession passed the district police station, angry participants threw stones at the building, breaking windows and destroying a police jeep.

Burial took place al Bab Al Raml, where demonstrators stopped to listen to denunciations of Hariri, Interior Minister Michel Murr, and the security forces. Then around 200 people walked toward the Tripoli serrail, joined by MP Mohammed Abdel Latif Kabbara, to try to gain the release of the detainees.

But after stones were thrown, the police fired back, wounding one person, whose identify remained unknown, and breaking up the demonstration. Nine arrests followed.

Previous Stories:
  Bekaa radio stations join group   (9/3/1997)
  Radio stations receive second shutdown warning   (8/15/1997)
  Force will be used to shut down Islamic TV and other radio stations   (8/13/1997)

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