A prominent drug dealer who opened fire on authorities Saturday in Hermel, east Lebanon, was among three individuals killed by authorities attempting to arrest the wanted man.
Hasan Ali Asaad Alwat, 50, a prominent drug dealer, his mother-in-law, Nahla Gharib, 50, and their Ethiopian domestic worker who has yet to be identified were killed at the eastern entrance to the city of Hermel after Alwat opened fire on members of the Anti-Drug Taskforce who had been pursuing the wanted man.
Alwat’s wife, Rima Dandash, was also wounded in the incident as well as two members of the taskforce, one who in serious condition.
The pursuit of Alwat was launched after the 50-year-old, accompanied by several members of his family, left a restaurant they had lunch at in their vehicle at around 5 p.m.
Following the incident, members of Alwat’s clan fired at the head of Hermel’s police station as he made his way to the crime scene.
They also refused to take possession of the bodies of the deceased as part of escalatory action.
Alwat’s clan will announce their position on the incident following a meeting Sunday.
Members of Jbeil’s Anti-Drug Taskforce had attempted to arrest Alwat just days prior.
Authorities had fired on him during their chase but he managed to flee his pursuers.
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Is there any foundation to this sweeping comparison beyond the hyperbolic?
