Ahmed al-Assir

For other people of a similar name, see Ahmed Al-Assiri.

Sheikh Ahmed al-Assir
Personal
Born (1968-05-05) 5 May 1968 (age 56)[1]
Sidon, Lebanon[1]
ReligionIslam
NationalityLebanese
DenominationSalafi
OccupationCleric

Ahmed al-Assir ([[[Arabic language|Arabic]]: أحمد الأسير; born 5 May 1968) is a Lebanese former Sunni Imam[2] of the Bilal Bin Rabah Mosque in Sidon[3] (considered by some to be a Salafi[4][5][6]). With his increasing involvement in regional politics, especially after the Syrian Civil War, he has become a notorious personality in Lebanon's political landscape, and frequently agitated against Iran and Hezbollah[7]

After being a wanted fugitive for years, Al-Assir was detained on 15 August 2015 by Lebanese General Security officials while attempting to flee[8] to Egypt using a forged passport in Beirut International Airport.[9] Upon his capture, it was revealed that he had undergone physical changes in appearance and attire;[10][8] with a shaved beard, new clothing style and facial modifications, suggesting the use of plastic surgery.

On 28 September 2017, Al-Assir was sentenced to death.[11][8] However, his sentence was later commuted to 20 years of hard labor,[12] which he is currently serving.[10]

  1. ^ a b "Al-Assir: A New parasite of "Sunni Terrorism" in Lebanon". Al Akhbar English. March 2, 2012. Archived from the original on July 3, 2013. Retrieved June 24, 2013.
  2. ^ "Lebanese cleric sentenced to death, pop-star to 15 years for clashes with army". Al Arabiya English. September 29, 2017. Retrieved June 21, 2021.
  3. ^ "Supporters of Bilal Bin Rabah mosque's Cleric Sheikh Ahmad Al Assir converge outside a Saida cemetery to prevent the burial of a Hezbollah member who was killed in Syria". MTV Lebanon. Retrieved June 21, 2021.
  4. ^ Samaha, Nour. "Who is Lebanon's Ahmed al-Assir?". www.aljazeera.com. Retrieved June 21, 2021.
  5. ^ "Lebanese Salafist Cleric Organizes Militia Forays into Syria". Jamestown Foundation (Terrorism Monitor vol. 11, Issue 10). May 17, 2013. Archived from the original on October 2, 2013. Retrieved June 28, 2013.
  6. ^ Cite error: The named reference AssirfatwaSyria was invoked but never defined (see the help page).
  7. ^ Filkins, Dexter (March 25, 2013). "How Syria's War Brought Down Lebanon's Prime Minister". The New Yorker. Retrieved October 5, 2013.
  8. ^ a b c "من هو أحمد الأسير؟". الجزيرة نت (in Arabic). Retrieved October 5, 2024.
  9. ^ Agencies Beirut (August 15, 2015). "Lebanon arrests fugitive cleric Ahmad al-Assir". Al Arabiya. Retrieved August 16, 2015.
  10. ^ a b "Sheikh al-Assir supporters protest in Saida demanding his release". L'orient Today.
  11. ^ Josh Wood (August 15, 2015). "Years after battling Lebanon's military, Al Assir detained while fleeing abroad". The National. Retrieved August 16, 2015.
  12. ^ "Ahmad Al-Assir, 20 years of hard labor". SBI.