US family wins judgment finding Iran liable for father’s imprisonment in Lebanon

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After a nearly four-year quest for justice, a U.S. court has ruled in favor of the family of Amer Fakhoury, a Lebanese American man who was held hostage in Lebanon. The court found that the Islamic Republic of Iran, through its proxy Hezbollah, should be held accountable for Fakhoury’s abduction and torture. Amer Fakhoury’s daughters, Guila and Zoya Fakhoury, shared with Fox News Digital that a U.S. District Court judge determined on May 1 that Iran was responsible for their father’s imprisonment.

“This is a significant lawsuit that demonstrates Iran’s influence over Lebanon,” Guila stated. “We were extremely pleased with the verdict.”

Amer Fakhoury was detained a week after arriving in Lebanon with his family in September 2019. Following his arrest, a Hezbollah-affiliated newspaper accused Fakhoury, a former member of the South Lebanon Army, of being the “butcher” of Khiam, a detention center where severe human rights violations were alleged to have occurred. Although he was released from a military prison in December 2019, it was not until the Lebanese Supreme Court dropped the charges against him in March 2020 that he was able to return to the United States. By the time of his return, Fakhoury had lost 60 pounds and was suffering from late-stage lymphoma, rib fractures, and other health issues. He passed away in September 2020 at the age of 57.

Proving Fakhoury’s suffering and torture was a challenge for the family, but Guila explained that the State Department’s classification of her father as a hostage was crucial in establishing the nature of his captivity.

Demonstrating that Iran was behind the imprisonment proved to be even more challenging. Despite skepticism from some individuals, Guila stated that Iran’s influence in Lebanon in recent years supported their claim. Since Iran did not respond to the lawsuit, the family had to present evidence that highlighted Hezbollah’s control over various government agencies in Lebanon, including the military hospital, military court, and the Lebanese General Directorate of General Security, the country’s intelligence agency responsible for Fakhoury’s arrest and torture.

Even after the Lebanese judicial system acquitted Fakhoury of multiple false charges, including being a killer, a terrorist, and an Israeli agent, officials informed him that he needed to remain in prison because Hezbollah demanded it.

The Fakhoury family faced threats from Hezbollah officials in Lebanon following Amer Fakhoury’s demise. Despite challenges, including interference from Lebanese General Directorate of General Security officials, the family persisted in their pursuit of justice. Although they believe that the settlement obtained through the Foreign Sovereign Immunities Act did not fully account for their pain and suffering, they view the judgment as a significant step towards justice.

The family hopes that the judgment will serve as a precedent for others seeking justice and accountability. They plan to advocate for sanctions against Lebanese officials who collaborated with Hezbollah and Iran and to seek justice for their father through the Amer Foundation.

The sisters emphasized the importance of using this case to hold accountable those who have been targeted by the Lebanese government and Hezbollah in Lebanon. They are determined to continue their efforts to seek justice and ensure that those responsible for their father’s ordeal are held accountable.