Press Release August 28, 2003

Investigative Magistrate of Beirut Judge Malek Saaiby resolved the issue of Dr. Muhamad Mugraby's unlawful arrest, ongoing since August 8 ,2003. He decided to accept the request of Dr. Mugraby's release presented by his lawyers and representatives, Mohamad Faqih and Jihad Abu Nader.

The decision of the release was in accordance with the findings of the General Court of Appeals in Beirut, and in contradiction to the position held by the Beirut Bar Association, which issued a warrant to rebut the request. Mr. Raymond Chedid, president of the Beirut Bar Association, was notified of the decision to release Dr. Mugraby at 12 30PM today. The Bar Association has the right to appeal the mentioned decision within an allowed period of 24 hours. Saaiby's decision is completely in line with the opinion of Chief Judge Maysam Noueiry, Head of the Court of Appeals in Beirut, who objected to the decision of the accusatory committee in Beirut and confirmed the illegality of the arrest on August 26, 2003.

The decision to release Dr. Muhamad Mugraby was met with relief by human rights organizations, lawyers, and Lebanese citizens.