Depositors and their Lawyers’ Attempt to Return Rightful Savings from Bank of Beirut Subject to Ill-Treatment by Police

Depositors and their Lawyers’ Attempt to Return Rightful Savings from Bank of Beirut Subject to Ill-Treatment by Police

The events of January 14th, 2022, were organized by the United for Lebanon Alliance and the Depositors Outcry Association. Like other movements for justice, claims and lawsuits will be advocated for until a real result is seen in court. UFL and the DOA will not be backing down before any progress is seen with the bank cases. Article 184 clearly declares that force is allowed in the case of defending one’s legitimate right in public defense. Essentially, the depositors have this very right to put an end to these bank owners' corruption and rightfully recover their deposits.

From the French Embassy to the Bank of Beirut, a day of uprising was hosted by United For Lebanon and Depositors Outcry Association. Both organizations announced the implementation of force through Article 184 of the penal code. Ultimately, UFL and DOA attempted to rightfully return money held by the banks to those who have been denied their share. While the sit-ins did not yield the expected results in a day, the organizations hope that their activism work sheds light on the issue and will urge the Lebanese Judiciary to act accordingly to bring justice to those who have been suffering at the hands of the banks.

The sit-in at the French Embassy with a group of depositors coincided with 79-year old Mrs. Souad Sakakini’s entrance to the Bank of Beirut in Tariq El Jdideh. Mrs. Sakakini, her UFL lawyers, and a number of depositors entered the bank with the intention to claim Mrs. Sakakini’s deposit and announced that they would not leave without getting her money.

The events at the Bank of Beirut were the most important of the day. After the depositors demanded the return of the deposit of Mrs. Sakakini under the legitimate right of public defense through Article 184, security forces entered the bank. Particularly, riot control forces came into the bank and used violence and forced depositors out of it. It’s important to note that riot control also used violence against women who were on the move, with three women over 60 years of age injured. Mrs. Sakakini didn’t get her money, and with the force by riot control, eventually everyone was pushed out of the bank and the doors were closed. UFL and DOA continued to keep speaking outside of the bank, after the doors were closed on them.

Alaa Khorchid, the president of DOA, and lawyer Rami Ollaik, the founder of UFL and the agent of the plaintiffs, announced the main position on the depositors’ file and developments. They emphasized the continuation of the confrontation and will escalate their acts unless the judiciary will bring these cases to justice.

In his speech, Khorchid states that depositors struggled to collect their money in the banks, and had legal justification to seize their money. On the contrary, the existing political-financial system headed by Prime Minister Najib Mikati, Governor of the Banque du Liban Riad Salameh and the President of the Association of Banks Salim Sfeir take what they want from the banks and leave the depositors with ultimately nothing.

In criticism of the Ministers of Interior and Justice for the riot police’s strike on depositors, Khorchid said: “You stole the rights of people without conscience, and we have nothing to lose. We will fight for our money and we will confront you and all the swindlers in this country.”

On his end, lawyer Ollaik began his speech by addressing the people and calling them to take action in the streets. He urged the community to speak up about the bank instead of remaining silent. Ollaik stated that: “I regret what happened in the Bank of Beirut and what all banks are doing. Fransabank is closing depositors’ accounts, and we will not be complacent on this matter. It will be confronted with the judiciary and the streets.” Ollaik also added that on Monday, there will be an appointment with the head of the Judicial Inspection Authority, Judge Bourkan Saad. Ollaik appealed to Saad to intervene at even a minimum level. If there is not progress in terms of this case, it would be said “peace be upon the judiciary”. Ollaik stresses that “today, we have proven that we can activate the legitimate right of the defense and we will continue with it.” Ollaik also pleaded to the president of the Beirut Bar Association, Mr. Nader Kasbar, in intervening to protect the rights of the depositors.

Ollaik called on all depositors and the demoralized Lebanese people to move quickly. He relayed that there were two responses by the French and Swiss ambassadors to two email messages, regarding urgent appointments to demonstrate the extent of the atrocities occurring. Hopefully, these countries will take measures towards these banks to advocate for justice. As for Riad Salameh, UFL will be contacting the US ambassador to explain that the protections that Salameh has on him have led to the deteriorating state of the Lebanese people. Likewise, the protection of a criminal like Salameh does not resemble the values of democracy and freedom that America claims to stand by.