Georges Abdallah Released After 41 Years in French Prison, Heading to Lebanon

Georges Abdallah, a 74-year-old Lebanese man imprisoned for 41 years in France for complicity in murders related to the Israeli-Palestinian conflict, has been released and will be deported to Lebanon. His case generated persistent activism on the left and raised questions about political influences in judicial decisions.

Georges Abdallah, a 74-year-old Lebanese educator and a prominent figure in the pro-Palestinian movement, was released from prison in France on Friday after over four decades behind bars. A lawyer described him as “the man who has spent the longest time in prison for events linked to the Israeli-Palestinian conflict.” Having been incarcerated since 1987 on convictions tied to the murders of an American and an Israeli diplomat in France, Abdallah's continued imprisonment had become a focal point for numerous left-wing activists.

On his release, Abdallah was transferred directly to a flight bound for Beirut. Over the years, his case had sparked protests and commemoration events, particularly among Marxist-Leninist groups, who regarded him as a political prisoner. His image remained a staple at protests, and several municipalities in France honored him as an "honorary citizen." Despite being eligible for parole since 1999, Abdallah's requests for liberty were repeatedly denied, allegedly due to pressures exerted by the United States and Israel on the French government.

Reflecting on his time in prison, Abdallah revealed that he maintained his mental health by focusing on the overarching Palestinian struggle. On the walls of his cell, he had placed posters of Che Guevara and postcards from supporters worldwide. Born in 1951 into a Christian family in northern Lebanon, Abdallah became involved in Marxist revolutionary movements during Lebanon's civil war, founding the Lebanese Armed Revolutionary Factions (LARF), which targeted Israeli and U.S. interests in Europe.

His arrest in 1984 led to a protracted legal saga, marked by controversy and allegations of political influence. Initially charged with minor offenses, complications arose when authorities discovered weapons linked to the diplomat murders shortly before he was to be released over a hostage negotiation in Lebanon. Despite denying involvement in the killings, Abdallah received a life sentence, which was met with discontent and claims that his imprisonment was politically motivated.

An appeal court recently deemed that Abdallah’s lengthy detention was “disproportionate,” allowing for his release, albeit with an immediate expulsion from France. His lawyer declared it a victory for justice but criticized the political maneuvers that prevented an earlier release. Abdallah’s case has echoed internationally, as no Palestinian prisoner has reportedly served more than 40 years in confinement, raising significant queries about human rights and justice in the context of the Palestinian struggle.