In "Silenced in Beirut," Amer Fakhoury's daughters recount the harrowing ordeal of their father's detention and torture in Lebanon, exposing the role of Hezbollah and the complicity of the Lebanese government.
"Silenced in Beirut: American Businessman Amer Fakhour’s Six-Month Ordeal as a Hostage In Lebanon" is a firsthand account of the injustice and suffering endured by Amer Fakhoury, an American citizen who was wrongfully detained in Lebanon from 2019 until his death in 2020.
Silenced in Beirut: The Story of Amer Fakhoury's Wrongful Imprisonment and Death
Written by his four daughters, Guila and Zoya Fakhoury, the book sheds light on the political machinations and human rights abuses that led to Fakhoury's imprisonment and eventual demise.
Fakhoury, a former logistics officer in the South Lebanon Army, was detained upon returning to his native country for a family visit. False allegations of torture at the now-defunct Khiam prison were leveled against him, despite his family's vehement denials.
Silenced in Beirut: The Story of Amer Fakhoury's Wrongful Imprisonment and Death
The Lebanese government refused to acknowledge his American citizenship and subjected him to baseless accusations while denying him access to proper medical care. As a result, Fakhoury developed lymphoma, a cancer that ultimately claimed his life.
The Fakhoury family believes that Fakhoury's detention was orchestrated by Hezbollah, a powerful Lebanese paramilitary and political organization with strong ties to Iran. They point to the fact that Hezbollah controls key positions within the Lebanese government and has a history of targeting individuals it perceives as threats.
Silenced in Beirut: The Story of Amer Fakhoury's Wrongful Imprisonment and Death
The Trump administration played a pivotal role in securing Fakhoury's release in 2019, following bipartisan sanctions proposed by Senators Jeanne Shaheen and Ted Cruz. However, the Lebanese government has yet to be held accountable for Fakhoury's torture and murder.
The Fakhoury family has established the Amer Fakhoury Foundation to advocate for the families of other detained Americans and to pursue justice for their loved one.
Silenced in Beirut: The Story of Amer Fakhoury's Wrongful Imprisonment and Death
"Silenced in Beirut" serves as a powerful indictment of the Lebanese government and Hezbollah for their complicity in Fakhoury's wrongful imprisonment and death.
It also highlights the risks faced by American citizens traveling abroad and the need for the U.S. government to prioritize the protection of its citizens from foreign threats.
Silenced in Beirut: The Story of Amer Fakhoury's Wrongful Imprisonment and Death
The book is a testament to the resilience of the Fakhoury family and their tireless efforts to seek accountability for the immense suffering they have endured.
