Demonstrators in Tunisia demand freedom for George Abdallah and other revolutionaries in jail

Abdallah, a prominent Lebanese communist leader, has been languishing in a prison in France for the last 35 years. The demonstrations in Tunisian capital Tunis on Saturday were part of the International Week of Action between June 15-22

June 22, 2020 by Peoples Dispatch
Release George Abdallah protests in Tunisia
Protesters gathered in front of the French embassy in central Tunis on June 20, Saturday, to demand the release of George Abdallah and other political prisoners. (Photo: Manhal al-Falestiny)

Demonstrations were held in Tunisian capital Tunis on June 20, Saturday, to demand the release of George Ibrahim Abdallah, Ahmad Sa’adat and all other imprisoned revolutionary leaders and activists. The demonstrations, organized by the Tunisian Committee for the Liberation of George Abdallah and the Platform Against Normalization, were among the many initiatives taken up around the world as part of International Week of Action between June 15-22.

Protesters on Saturday gathered in front of the French embassy in central Tunis, holding up banners and giving speeches highlighting the plight of Abdallah, a prominent Lebanese communist leader who has been languishing in a prison in France for the last 35 years. Abdallah has been accused of the murder of a US military official as well as of an Israeli diplomat in Paris. He was sentenced to life imprisonment in 1987. 

The protesters also called for the release of all the other imprisoned revolutionaries who were fighting for the cause of Palestine or involved in other anti-imperialist and anti-colonial struggles. Concurrent protests to demand the release of Abdallah and other prisoners were reported from France, Turkey and various other countries.

As part of the International Week of Action, several events were held in Tunis last week. A lecture was organized at the Tunis Bar to educate and explain to people the legal aspects of George Abdallah’s case. A concert dedicated to Abdallah, Sa’adat and other prisoners was also staged in Tunis to commemorate and celebrate the revolutionary spirit and zeal of the prisoners and to raise awareness about their current situation. These events are being organized internationally by the Unified Campaign to Free George Abdallah, along with supporters of the Palestinian cause, activists and members of hundreds of organizations across the world that are participating in various kinds of events and actions as part of the week.