Lebanon detains pro-Hezbollah singer
'Hezbollah's nightingale' Ali Barakat glorified terrorism and threatened Israel in songs; Lebanese officials say songs encourage sectarian violence; father says arrest 'violates democracy.'
Lebanese judicial officials and the father of a pro-Hezbollah singer Ali Barakat said Tuesday that authorities had detained the artist over some of his songs, including one that calls Saudi Arabia a "terrorist."
Ali Barakat, known as "Hezbollah's nightingale", released several songs over the past months that glorified the terrorist group, including lyrics that threatened Israel to prepare for a conquest of the Galilee and bombing of the Golan Heights.
Barakat was detained Monday when he went to collect his passport from the General Directorate of General Security in the southern town of Nabatiyeh, his father Mohammed Barakat said.
"This move violates democracy," Barakat said.
In April, authorities issued a summons for Barakat over releasing sectarian songs that "harm Lebanon's relations" with Arab countries. They criticized him for a song titled "Your Terror, Saudi Arabia". Legal experts said Barakat's songs were full of incitement and racism.
Earlier in the year, on the 14th anniversary of the IDF's withdrawal from Lebanon, Barakat released a song about conquering the Galilee, an achievement Hezbollah said it would attain in its next war.
"We are coming to blow up the volcano in the Galilee and the Golan," he sang. "Hezbollah's fighting in Syria is the greatest proof."
A video for the song displayed a map of the Galilee and images depicting the damage wrought by Hezbollah on anti-Assad rebels in Syria. "Your turn will come, occupier," sang Barakat. "In the next war, you will disappear."
An official close to Hezbollah said Barakat is not a member with the group.
"When we heard some of his songs that we found not suitable we objected," said the official, who spoke on condition of anonymity because he is not authorized to speak to journalists. "Still, he went on with them."
Judicial officials said if charged and convicted, Barakat could get six months to three years in prison for inciting sectarian sentiments and attacking a friendly country. They spoke on condition of anonymity in line with regulations.
Saudi Arabia is one of the main backers of Syrian rebels. Hezbollah backs Syrian President Bashar Assad.
