The case of the fugitive Lebanese artist, Fadel Shaker, has returned to the forefront of the judicial and media scenes in Lebanon, following rapid developments in the corridors of the military court, where all requests for his release submitted by his defense lawyers in the four cases against him were rejected.

Shock among the defense and family circles

Sources close to the family of artist Fadel Shaker reported that the recent court ruling came as a shock to his family and legal team. Expectations had been that a legal breakthrough, even a partial one, was possible in two specific cases considered less complex than others: the case of "insulting a sister nation" and the case of "possession of military weapons." However, the military court's decision was decisive, temporarily closing the door on these efforts. This prompted the legal team to mobilize and draft new legal requests in various forms in an attempt to alter the current legal course.

Details of pending cases and the date of the next session

The complications don't end with the refusal to release him; the defense team is currently considering submitting an additional request related to the "threat against Hilal Hammoud" case. This case is particularly sensitive due to its direct connection to the bloody events that took place in Sidon, the repercussions of which continue to this day.

In a related development, the Beirut Criminal Court has set April 24 as the date for a new hearing in the trial of Fadel Shaker, who is being tried in absentia along with Sheikh Ahmad al-Assir and several other defendants. This hearing will focus on the 2013 attempted murder of Hilal Hammoud, a case considered one of the most serious in Shaker's legal record.

Background of events: From "The King of Romance" to the events of Abra

To understand the complexities of the current situation, we must look back a little. The transformation of Fadel Shaker from an artist dubbed the "King of Romance," enjoying immense popularity in the Arab world, to a wanted man, came as a major shock to the public. The story began to unfold with the outbreak of the Syrian crisis and the emergence of Sheikh Ahmad al-Assir in Sidon, where Shaker became involved with this movement, ultimately leading to the infamous Abra events of June 2013.

The battle between supporters of the prisoner and the Lebanese army resulted in the deaths of soldiers, transforming the issue into a highly sensitive matter of national security and public opinion. Since then, Shaker has remained in hiding within the Ain al-Hilweh Palestinian refugee camp, and several in absentia sentences of lengthy prison terms with hard labor have been issued against him on charges related to forming an armed group and carrying out terrorist acts.

The impact of the case and its future

This case has acquired significance that transcends the personal legal dimension; it touches a sensitive chord in Lebanese society, which is divided over the Abra events. While some believe the harshest penalties must be applied out of respect for the blood of the army martyrs, others see the possibility of a legal settlement that separates political stances from direct criminal acts.

With each new judicial decision, whether rejecting or postponing, Fadel Shaker's fate remains suspended between the walls of the Ain al-Hilweh camp and the corridors of the Lebanese courts, awaiting what the next round of trials will bring in April.

The Egyptian courts have witnessed a significant development in the case that recently captured public attention, concerning the attack on the children of actress Zeina and actor Ahmed Ezz by a vicious dog inside a high-end residential compound. The Public Prosecution issued a decisive decision to refer the actress's neighbor and relative (the actual owner of the dog) to urgent criminal trial, charging them with negligence and failure to take precautions in supervising a dangerous animal, thus endangering the lives of the children.

Details of the horrifying incident

The incident unfolded on a quiet day that suddenly turned into chaos and panic inside a five-a-side football pitch for children. While twins Ezz El-Din and Zein El-Din were playing football, a large, unmuzzled dog, unleashed, charged at them and began a vicious chase. The attack resulted in one of the boys falling to the ground and sustaining bruises from the impact as he tried to escape, while the other suffered minor scratches and cuts. The onlookers, stunned and screaming, rushed to the scene to intervene.

Prosecution investigations and conclusive evidence

Investigations conducted by the Public Prosecution, supported by reviewing CCTV footage from the area surrounding the playground and eyewitness testimonies, revealed that the dog was with the neighbor's son and that control over it was completely lost at the critical moment. The investigations also established that the accused failed to take the necessary precautions to control the animal in a public space designated for children's play. Surprisingly, the investigations revealed that the second party initially attempted to deny ownership of the dog, but the security investigations resolved the matter and identified the actual owner, thus placing full legal responsibility on him and the father of the child who was with the dog.

Zeina's innocence and the background of the conflict

In a related development, the prosecution decided to dismiss the complaint filed by the other party against the artist Zeina, in which he accused her of slander, defamation, and assault. The investigation revealed that the artist's reaction stemmed from a natural maternal instinct and a legitimate act of self-defense for her young children immediately following the incident, thus invalidating the charges against her.

Context of the crisis and its societal significance

This incident takes on special significance beyond being merely a quarrel between neighbors, for several reasons. First, it brings renewed attention to the twins of Zeina and Ahmed Ezz, whose lives have long been the subject of media scrutiny due to their protracted legal battle over paternity, making any harm they face a major topic of public discussion. Second, this incident comes at a time of escalating debate in Egypt regarding the "law on the possession of dangerous animals and dogs," particularly after repeated dog attacks in upscale residential compounds. This has recently prompted the Egyptian legislature to increase penalties for owners of aggressive animals that cause harm to others.

The referral of the accused to trial in this case is a deterrent judicial message confirming that living in upscale areas does not grant immunity from the law, and that the safety of children in common spaces is a red line that cannot be compromised, thus turning an incomplete children's game into a judicial precedent awaiting the court's final word.

In a surprising move that sparked widespread controversy in Syrian and Arab artistic circles, the famous Syrian artist Hussam Junaid his retirement from performing at concerts and public and private events, attributing his decision to what he described as the negative changes taking place in the artistic scene, coinciding with the arrival of the holy month of Ramadan.

Details of the sudden retirement decision

Junaid announced his retirement from performing live concerts via his official social media accounts, where he addressed a heartfelt message to his fans and followers. The Syrian artist wrote, "To everyone who supported Hussam Junaid from 2009 to 2026, may God never deprive me of you. Today was my last day performing live. Thank God, I have decided to retire from live concerts." Junaid clarified that this decision does not mean his complete disappearance, but rather a shift in his career path, emphasizing, "I will definitely continue to release songs on my YouTube channel and across all platforms, as I am committed to a production company, poets, and composers.".

Reasons for the decision: Preserving the artistic heritage

Junaid's decision wasn't impulsive; it seems to be the culmination of accumulated concerns about the current artistic environment. He justified his move by expressing a desire to preserve his image and artistic standards, saying, "Those who love Hussam Junaid certainly wouldn't accept a decline in his artistic level. My voice and artistry are far superior to what's currently available, and it won't last because there are discerning listeners." This statement reflects a sense of dissatisfaction among a segment of professional artists regarding the recent decline in concert organization standards, audience quality, and the overall atmosphere surrounding commercial events. They prefer to withdraw while at the peak of their careers rather than participate in artistic trends that don't align with their legacy.

Artistic context and career of Hossam Junaid

Hussam Junaid is one of the most prominent voices in the Syrian popular and classical music scene. Over the past decade, he has secured a leading position in concerts and festivals in Syria, Lebanon, and the Arab world. This decision comes at a time when the artistic landscape is undergoing radical transformations, with many artists beginning to rely more heavily on digital platforms and revenue from live streaming and YouTube, rather than depending entirely on demanding concerts that may sometimes fall short of an artist's legacy.

The shift towards digital production

Junaid's confirmation that he will continue releasing songs on YouTube indicates an awareness of the demands of the digital age. This approach allows the artist complete control over the quality of his artistic output, free from the pressures of promoters and the potentially unsuitable conditions of live performances. Junaid apologized to concert promoters, saying, "I love you all from the bottom of my heart, and I apologize to all the promoters I made promises to. I hope you will accept my decision positively." He concluded his message by wishing his fans a blessed Ramadan: "I love you all. You are my family, the ones I grew up with, and you are the ones who raised me. Ramadan Kareem to you all.".

Reactions and timing of Ramadan

The public reacted strongly to this decision, with many linking the timing of the announcement to the start of Ramadan, considering it a positive step towards devoting oneself to worship and self-reflection—a practice followed by some Arab artists during the holy month. Reactions ranged from shock and sadness at his absence from the stage to full support for his decision, which aims to protect his artistic legacy from the vulgarity prevalent in some aspects of the current art scene.