Lebanon’s judicial and security agencies have launched joint operations rooms across the country to prepare for the implementation of the general amnesty law passed on August 12, 2026. The preemptive measures come as authorities await the Constitutional Council’s ruling on a parliamentary challenge against the legislation.
Joint Operations Rooms Set Up for Amnesty Law
To prevent administrative bottlenecks, Prosecutor General Judge Ahmed Rami Al-Haj, alongside military and security leadership, inspected the central joint operations room at the Internal Security Forces’ North region headquarters.
Authorities initiated file preparation roughly three weeks before the inspections began, working in anticipation of the Constitutional Council’s ruling on a challenge filed on September 9, 2026, by the Strong Lebanon parliamentary bloc. Officials emphasize that these preparatory measures are designed to eliminate delays rather than prejudge the court’s decision.
“This step does not exert any pressure on the Constitutional Council, but rather comes within the framework of preliminary preparation to ensure full readiness to implement the law, whatever the outcome issued by the Constitutional Council may be, whether it is approved in its current form or amendments are made to it as a result of the appeal.”
Judge Ahmed Rami Al-Haj, Prosecutor General, via Annahar and Al-Markazia
Security Agencies Process Initial Batch of 900 Files
Security agencies have begun reviewing an initial batch comprising approximately 900 convicted individuals. Because current legislation leaves detailed execution mechanisms to the judiciary and security forces, officials are manually compiling comprehensive dossiers for every prisoner and detainee.
Each file consolidates criminal records, trial judgments, and investigative documents from multiple agencies, including the Internal Security Forces, General Security, State Security, Army Intelligence, and the Military Police. This cross-agency collation serves a verification function.
“The work mechanism includes preparing a special file for each convicted person and detainee, containing the sentences issued against him and his criminal record, in addition to collecting documents and information available from various security agencies, from the Internal Security Forces, General Security, and State Security to Army Intelligence and the Military Police. This procedure aims, in particular, to verify the absence of any repeat cases, pursuits, or previous rulings that might prevent some people from benefiting from the amnesty provisions.”
Judge Ahmed Rami Al-Haj, Prosecutor General, via Annahar
The processing system applies alphabetically to all detainees and convicts regardless of whether they retain legal representation. Priority is assigned to individuals eligible for immediate release once the statutory conditions are confirmed, bypassing the need for individual defense lawyers to file separate release petitions.
Legal Challenge Contests Anti-Corruption Priorities
While the judicial administration prepares for mass releases, the legislation faces scrutiny from legal advocates. On September 23, 2026, the Legal Agenda submitted a formal memorandum to the Constitutional Council supporting the parliamentary challenge against Law No. 70.
The legal challenge argues that the statute violates the constitutional principle of equality before the law by granting a near-comprehensive general amnesty without a demonstrable public interest justification. The explanatory notes of the law cite prison overcrowding, prolonged pre-trial detention, and court backlogs as justifications. However, legal critics note that these administrative rationales fail to justify extending amnesty to serious offenses affecting public order and victim rights, including financial corruption in both public and private sectors.
Protesters Rally in Tripoli Ahead of Court Ruling
Public tension surrounding the law has spilled into the streets. On September 20, 2026, the Association of Muslim Scholars in Lebanon organized a protest in Nour Square in Tripoli, demanding the immediate enforcement of the general amnesty and criticizing the political factions that filed the challenge.
With the Constitutional Council reviewing the final reports, expectations center on a definitive decision. According to media reports from MTV cited by regional news outlets, the Council is expected to issue its ruling before Saturday, October 10, 2026. Once the decision is handed down, judicial authorities anticipate releasing hundreds of eligible prisoners during the initial week of field implementation.
