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Sound Grenade Thrown At LBCI Studios In Adma
An explosive device was thrown towards the building of the Lebanese Broadcasting Company International (LBCI) yesterday night. The NNA reported that the attack was carried out by anonymous individuals who threw a sound bomb towards the channel’s facilities in Adma. Only material damages were recorded, with the ISF and intelligence agencies immediately at the scene after the attack. The suspects remain at large.
LBCI confirmed that the attack occurred at exactly 9:10 PM on Sunday night. Initial investigations confirmed that the explosive was launched into the parking lot next to one of their studios, with authorities also finding the grenade pin. The channel also reported that CCTV footage indicates that the attack was carried out by two men riding a motorcycle.
— LBCI Lebanon News (@LBCI_NEWS) January 22, 2023
While the motives behind this attack have not been revealed, it comes just days after social media uproar against a clip of a new comedy show on LBCI surfaced. The sketch featured a classroom where students were learning to “speak Shiite”.
#…https://t.co/bkhJlZjehp #LBCILebanon @ferashatoum pic.twitter.com/FEO7l4b31j
— LBCI TV (@LBCILebanon) January 19, 2023
The creators and actors took to Twitter to issue a clarification shortly thereafter:
— LBCI TV (@LBCILebanon) January 20, 2023
The attack has been condemned by a wide range of figures in the country, including politicians, journalists, and activists. Prime Minister Najib Mikati https://www.nna-leb.gov.lb/ar/%D8%B3%D9%8A%D8%A7%D8%B3%D8%A9/589512/%D9%85%D9%8A%D9%82%D8%A7%D8%AA%D9%8A-%D8%A7%D8%AA%D8%B5%D9%84-%D8%A8%D8%A7%D9%84%D8%B6%D8%A7%D9%87%D8%B1-%D9%85%D8%B7%D9%85%D8%A6%D9%86%D8%A7-%D8%A7%D9%84%D8%AA%D8%AD%D9%82%D9%8A%D9%82%D8%A7%D8%AA-%D8%A7%D9%84%D8%A7%D9%85%D9%86%D9%8A%D8%A9-%D8%B3%D8%AA%D8%AA%D9%83%D8%”target”_new”>immediately called LBCI chair Pierre Daher to check up on his safety and to confirm that a thorough investigation will be carried out by the security forces to get to the bottom of the case. Mikati then declared his continued commitment to freedom of speech in the country.
The motives behind the attack remain unclear. Previous attacks have been recorded against media stations in Lebanon, with Al Jadeed previously targeted in the last few months.
