Lebanese musician Zeid Hamdan was reportedly released Wednesday evening following his arrest for allegedly slandering President Michel Sleiman, the former’s lawyer, Nizar Saghieh, said.
Saghieh added that Attorney General Judge Said Mirza must now decide whether to file formal charges against Hamdan. Slandering the president in Lebanon carries a maximum prison sentence of two years.
A posting on Hamdan’s Facebook page said: “I am free now, thank [you] for your help!”
Mirza ordered Hamdan arrested for a music video he made about Sleiman, according to Saghieh.
In the song, entitled "General Sleiman," Hamdan's group "Zeid and The Wings" describes the head of state as a "miracle man" and urges all "militiamen, corrupted politicians, weapons dealers, foreign intelligence and neighbor influence" to go home.
The reggae-style English language song ends with the following lyrics: "General Sleiman, you're a miracle man for peace in the nation. General Sleiman you're a miracle man. Gene, gene, general go home."
Last year, three people were detained in Lebanon for using the social networking website Facebook also to allegedly slander the president.
No charges were brought against them and they were released after 11 days.
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