Lebanese Pop Star Turned Militant Fadel Shaker Surrenders After 12 Years on the Run

Lebanese Pop Star Fadel Shaker Surrenders After 12 Years on the Run

Fadel Shaker, a Lebanese pop star who transitioned into a wanted Islamist militant, has surrendered to the country’s military intelligence service after 12 years as a fugitive. The surrender marks a significant turn in a story that captivated the Arab world.

The 2013 Sidon Clashes and Shaker's Flight

Shaker had been on the run since June 2013, following violent street clashes in the coastal city of Sidon between Sunni Muslim militants and the Lebanese army. He was tried in absentia and sentenced to 22 years in prison in 2020 for providing support to a "terrorist group." The clashes deepened sectarian tensions between Sunni and Shia Muslims in Lebanon.

Apprehension and Legal Repercussions

On Saturday night, a Lebanese military intelligence force reached the Ein el-Hilweh Palestinian refugee camp near Sidon and took Shaker into custody. He had been hiding within the camp for over a decade. Officials indicated that the surrender came after coordination between mediators and the Lebanese Defence Ministry. The sentences previously imposed during his absence may be dropped, and he will face questioning and a new trial on charges related to crimes against the military.

From Pop Star to Militant

Fadel Shaker achieved stardom in 2002 with a smash hit across the Arab world. However, nearly a decade later, he aligned himself with hardline Sunni cleric Sheikh Ahmad al-Assir, shocking fans by renouncing music and embracing a more religious path. A video surfaced during the 2013 fighting in Sidon showing Shaker taunting the military.

Recent Musical Comeback and Current Context

In a surprising turn, Shaker and his son, Mohammed, released a new song in July that went viral, garnering over 113 million views on YouTube. Shaker's handover coincides with the Lebanese army's efforts to collect weapons from the country’s 12 Palestinian refugee camps, areas often excluded from direct Lebanese authority. This disarmament effort underscores the ongoing security challenges facing Lebanon.

Timeline of Key Events