Lebanon’s military court postponed Tuesday to October 20 the trial of Salafist cleric Ahmed al-Asir at the request of defense lawyers.
The military judge’s decision to adjourn the session was expected because it was the first time that the Salafist cleric went on trial.
Several arrest warrants have been issued against al-Asir for forming armed groups, attacking the army, forming sleeper cells and plotting the assassination of known figures.
He has also been charged of funding extremist cleric Sheikh Khaled Hoblos and offering his group logistical and armed support.
Al-Asir was arrested on August 15 at Beirut’s Rafik Hariri International Airport while trying to flee to Nigeria via Cairo using a fake Palestinian passport.
The anti-Hezbollah cleric had been on the run since June 2013 after his supporters clashed with the Lebanese army in the southern city of Sidon’s suburb of Abra. The fighting killed 18 Lebanese soldiers.
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