Mother of Syrian rape victim in Lebanon retracts allegations

MENA

Published: 2020-10-15 14:21

Last Updated: 2024-03-28 01:01


Mother of Syrian rape victim in Lebanon retracts allegations
Mother of Syrian rape victim in Lebanon retracts allegations

The mother of the Syrian boy who was raped in Lebanon in June has dropped the charges against his attackers, on Wednesday.

Some speculate she so did out of fear and intimidation from the attackers.

A social media debate ensued following the news about the case that has caused public outrage across the Arab world.

"The mother who is supposed to be the custodian of the innocence, childhood and purity of her son, has waived accountability for every criminal who robbed him of his childhood,” said Lebanese journalist Joe Maalouf on Twitter.

He added that the child has now been assaulted, "twice, first, physically and psychologically, and the second from his mother, who did not fight to the end for her son."

Former member of Parliament, Paula Yacoubian, responded to Maalouf's tweet by saying that not everyone is able to protect the weak in Lebanon, noting that it is not known how much pressure and intimidation the mother might have been subjected to in order to waive her right.

Syrian actress, Kinda Alloush, supported Yacoubian's point of view and thanked her for her opinion, describing the news as "a new stab on the victim that is no less cruel than the crime of assault and loss of justice.”

Over the summer, activists called upon the UNHCR to secure asylum in a European country for the boy and his family.