US citizen jailed in Lebanon as country deals with crisis

CONCORD, N.H. (AP) — Amer Fakhoury closed his New Hampshire restaurant in September to take his first vacation in years to visit family in his native Lebanon — a country he hadn’t been to for nearly two decades.

He hasn’t returned to the United States. Soon after his arrival, the 57-year-old American citizen was detained by authorities and remains jailed as Lebanon deals with anti-government protests during a worsening economic crisis.

Fakhoury’s family says doctors report that he is in poor health and that his condition is life-threatening.

No charges have been filed against Fakhoury. His lawyer said it’s unclear why he’s being held. Fakhoury was once a member of the former Israeli-backed South Lebanon Army.

His family insists he had no direct contact with prisoners, never abused anyone and was never accused of abuse.

A State Department spokesperson said it’s been in contact with Fakhoury.

source: yahoo.com