French Court Orders Conditional Release of Abdallah

A French appeals court has ordered the release of Georges Ibrahim Abdallah, a 74-year-old Lebanese militant imprisoned for nearly 40 years for his role in the 1982 murders of US and Israeli diplomats in Paris and the attempted murder of a US Consul General. Abdallah, former leader of the Lebanese Armed Revolutionary Factions, has described himself as a 'fighter' for Palestinian rights. His release, scheduled for July 25, is conditional upon his deportation from France, most likely to Lebanon. The United States and France's general prosecutor have consistently opposed his release, and the US is expected to protest the decision. Abdallah will not be required to pay compensation to the victims' families. The court's decision follows years of legal appeals and political pressure, highlighting ongoing tensions over justice for acts of terrorism.