French Court Orders Release of Georges Abdallah

A French court has ordered the release of Georges Ibrahim Abdallah, a Lebanese militant who has served 40 years in prison for the murders of U.S. and Israeli diplomats in the 1980s. Abdallah, who was sentenced to life imprisonment in 1987, is set to be released on December 6, provided he leaves France permanently. The French anti-terrorism prosecutor's office has announced plans to appeal this decision, which has sparked significant debate surrounding terrorism and geopolitical implications. Abdallah's supporters, including prominent figures like Nobel Prize-winning author Annie Ernaux, view his release as a political victory, arguing that his imprisonment has been politically motivated. Abdallah maintains he is a fighter for Palestinian rights rather than a criminal. His release remains contentious, with the U.S. consistently opposing it due to his past actions.