Riots Erupt at Zahleh Prison

Riots broke out in Zahleh prison on Tuesday when some inmates refused to be transferred to another jail, reported the National News Agency. Security forces immediately intervened to restore order at the prison. Roumieh prison had repeatedly witnessed several various security incidents in the past few months. The latest incident took place in January when protests erupted at the prison's ward B after security forces arrested a lady who was trying to smuggle mobile phones into the prison. Poor conditions in prisons and a slow judicial process have sparked several riots in Lebanese jails. Some inmates can be incarcerated for years before their cases come to court. Several failed and successful prison breaks have taken place in Roumieh throughout the past few months. Beirut - Naharnet