Ahmed al-Assir
Sheikh Ahmed al-Assir | |
|---|---|
| Personal life | |
| Born | 5 May 1968 |
| Nationality | Lebanese |
| Occupation | Cleric |
| Religious life | |
| Religion | Islam |
| Denomination | Salafi |
Ahmed al-Assir (Arabic: أحمد الأسير; born 5 May 1968) is a Lebanese former Sunni Imam of the Bilal Bin Rabah Mosque in Sidon (considered by some a Salafi). With his increasing involvement in regional politics, especially after the Syrian Civil War, he has become a notorious personality in Lebanon's political landscape, and frequently agitated against Iran and Hezbollah
After being a wanted fugitive for years, Al-Assir was detained on 15 August 2015 by Lebanese General Security officials while attempting to flee to Egypt using a forged passport in Beirut International Airport. Upon his capture, it was revealed that he had undergone physical changes in appearance and attire; with a shaved beard, new clothing style and facial modifications, suggesting the use of plastic surgery.
On 28 September 2017, Al-Assir was sentenced to death. However, his sentence was later commuted to 20 years of hard labor, which he is currently serving.