Lebanon must investigate torture claims by actor, HRW says
BEIRUT — The New York-based Human Rights Watch called Monday on Lebanese authorities to investigate allegations of torture made by a well-known actor who was detained and later exonerated of charges of spying for Israel.
Ziad Itani, a stage actor from Beirut, was arrested in November and released four months later. The charges were dropped in the widely publicized case in which details of the allegations were leaked to the media.
Collaborating with Israel, which is formally at war with Lebanon, can be punishable by death.
The watchdog said Itani's case was worrisome because of the combination of tactics used to pressure him. They included being held incommunicado, torture, forcing him into a confession under duress and threats of rape and physical violence to his family, the group said.
