Geagea's Prison Conditions are Eased after Medical Checkup
June 22, 2004



LF commander Samir Geagea's prison conditions in Yarze have been improved and a new medical checkup proved him in good physical shape, the Beirut media reported on Tuesday.

The latest checkup a few days ago was conducted in Sacre Cœur Hospital. Judicial sources pronounced the outcome of the tests satisfactory and said doctors have recommended additional vitamins to his meals, An Nahar said.

The doctors also had no objection to the daily exercises Geagea undertakes in his prison cell or at the prison courtyard. This led to extension of the exercises from one hour to 90 minutes a day, An Nahar said.

The time frame of the weekly visits of his wife Strida was also extended from half an hour to a full hour, and increased form twice to three times a week.

Geagea has been held in solitary confinement at the prison of the Defense Ministry compound in Yarze for 10 years thus far. This made him the longest-held political prisoner since the end of Lebanon's 15-year civil war in 1990.

An ongoing campaign by LF activists to win back his freedom is believed to be hinging on whether President Lahoud's term would be extended or a new president would be elected in Lebanon by next November.



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