Sheikh H. Mchaymech stands accused of “collaborating with the Israeli enemy by providing information about Hezbollah to its forces in return for pecuniary gains.” In our May 12, 2012 alert on his situation, we noted, “the next session was postponed until October 5! Clearly, the absurdly long interval between sessions was simply a means to keep Sheikh Mchaymech in the “dungeon” and out of public circulation!”
Immediately following that decision, the Sheikh’s lawyer used all legal means available to protest the absurdly long interval between sessions. Ultimately, the judicial inspection office of the military court found in favor of that motion and rescheduled the session to June 14.
Similar to the events of the preceding session, Sheikh H. Mchaymech surprised the court during yesterday’s hearing with his frankness and steadfast attitude. Specifically, the Sheikh reiterated his opinion that “the main reason behind this prosecution is my political and ideological disagreement with Hezbollah.”
Sheikh H. Mchaymech gave credence to that allegation when he explained that Hezbollah has not hesitated to attack senior clerics and even Marjaa’ who disagreed with Hezbollah regarding the late Sayyed Muhammad Hussein Fadlallah. He also stated that he has information which confirms that Hezbollah’s current security chief Mustapha Badreddin personally led an attack on the residence of the late Sayyed Fadlallah.
Regarding his experience with Hezbollah coercion, Sheikh H. Mchaymech admitted that before he departed Lebanon for Germany in 2005, he bowed to pressure and intimidation by that organization and accepted a “mandate for silence.” In other words, the Sheikh was warned to keep quiet about Hezbollah.
Beyond the description the Sheikh offered about the torture he suffered during his incarceration in Syria and Lebanon, Sheikh H. Mchaymech claimed that during his interrogation by ISF intelligence personnel, Hezbollah operatives were also present. After being warned by tribunal head General Khaleel Ibrahim that the Sheikh was disparaging a state security institution, Sheikh H. Mchaymech replied, “But we are in Lebanon, my General.”
Of note, the next—seventh—session of Sheikh Hassan Mchaymech’s trial is scheduled for Monday, August 6, 2012.