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Despite probe, questions remain after Syrians die in Lebanese custody

Four Syrians detained by the Lebanese army in a raid on Syrian refugee camps in Arsal died less than 48 hours into their detention, thus raising questions about the reason behind their deaths, as several photos showed signs of torture on their bodies.
Lebanese army soldiers patrol a street in Labwe, at the entrance of the border town of Arsal, in eastern Bekaa Valley, Lebanon July 21, 2017. REUTERS/Ali Hashisho - RTX3CCJZ
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BEIRUT — On July 24, Judge Saqr Saqr, the state commissioner of the Lebanese military court, received the report of the medical committee, which was tasked with investigating the death of four Syrians while in custody. They are identified as Mustafa Abd el-Karim Absse, Khaled Hussein el-Mleis, Anas Hussein el-Husseiki and Othman Merhi el-Mleis.

The four were among hundreds of people arrested during army raids on Syrian refugee camps in Arsal that started on June 30 and are aimed at what the army describes as capturing “terrorists.” In the report, the committee of three doctors said the deaths were not the result of violence but of different health problems that led to their immediate death following the arrest.

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