Man takes Lebanese commercial bank hostage, demands frozen funds
The man demanded access to some $200,000 that he had in his bank account due to a relative being in the hospital and him needing the money.
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A man who security sources said was armed and holding hostages while demanding the return of his bank deposits, is seen through the door of the Federal Bank of Lebanon in Hamra, Lebanon, August 11, 2022 (Reuters)
An armed man has taken an unspecified number of people hostage on Thursday, demanding the release of his deposits frozen by his bank in the wake of the economic crisis in Lebanon. The debacle is unfolding at the Federal Bank of Lebanon in Beirut, a security source said.
Lebanese banks have imposed limited withdrawals of hard currency for most depositors, leaving more than 75% of the population struggling to make ends meet and afford even the most basic goods.
The man entered the Federal Bank of Lebanon's branch in the Western Hamra neighborhood just before noon on Thursday, bearing a firearm, a security source told Reuters.
The man demanded access to some $200,000 that he had in his bank account due to a relative being in the hospital and him needing the money. After the employee refused the request, he pulled out his gun.
The man’s brother who was on the scene told the Associated Press his brother was seeking to withdraw his money to pay for his father’s medical expenses and other family needs.
"My brother is not a scoundrel, he is a decent man," Atef al-Sheikh Hussein told the news agency. "He takes what he has from his own pocket to give to others."
A gunman broke into a bank in Beirut with a gallon of gasoline, threatening to set himself on fire if the security forces break into the bank, Al Mayadeen's correspondent reported.
"Work is currently underway to provide part of the gunman's funds as means to negotiate with him," our correspondent added, noting that information suggests that he has five hostages.
At least one elderly man was released from the bank because of his age and government negotiators were deployed to begin talks with the hostage taker, the interior ministry said.
A Reuters witness could see a bearded man in a black shirt behind the gated entrance to the bank speaking to several men in plainclothes on the outside.
"Let them give me back my money!" he was heard telling them.
مسلّح يحتجز مواطنين في بنك فيدرال في #الحمرا .
— الميادين لبنان (@mayadeenlebanon) August 11, 2022
وقد حضرت القوى الأمنية وعمل الجيش على تطويق المكان.#لبنان #الميادين_لبنان pic.twitter.com/DY8Na0PS1j
The situation caused a crowd to gather outside the bank, many of which were changing "down with the rule of banks!" a slogan that has been echoing throughout Lebanon for a while now, since the start of the economic crisis and the protests that followed suit.
Commercial banks cap monthly cash withdrawals in US dollars while only allowing limited amounts to be withdrawn in Lebanese pounds at a rate much lower than the parallel market rate, which leads to significant cuts in the original value of the deposits that have become incredibly inflated.
Banks claim to make exceptions for humanitarian cases, such as hospital care, but depositors say these exemptions are very rarely implemented.
