At Smallville, Mouttahidoun Unveils a Legal Plan to Unlock Deposits And Rights Through the Force of Law

The United Against Injustice Coalition, led by the United Against Corruption Alliance (Mouttahidoun), together with the Depositors Union, held an effective work meeting on Wednesday, September 30, 2026, at the Smallville Hotel in Beirut, bringing together depositors, military and civilian retirees, and others affected by Lebanon’s financial and monetary crisis.

Under the title “Unlocking Deposits and Rights Through the Force of Law,” the meeting followed the Depositors Union’s earlier protest outside Beirut’s Palace of Justice and the preparation of a legal plan which its organizers say is now ready to move towards implementation.

Founder and Coordinator, Dr. Rami Ollaik, stressed that the objective is not simply to raise demands or slogans, but to establish a structured, evidence-based legal process, with clear objectives and stages aimed at recovering the rights of depositors and other victims of the crisis.

A Coordinated Judicial Strategy

Ollaik placed the judiciary at the centre of the proposed strategy: establishing individual rights through legal proceedings and, where legally justified, seeking precautionary and enforcement seizures against perpetrators, mainly banks and their associates, assets.

He referred to cases he has followed, including the Fransabank case, which demonstrated the possibility of recovering deposits through judicial action, together with interest and litigation-related costs.

The proposed model is not a ‘class action’ in the sense used in certain foreign legal systems, but a one as effective. Each depositor would bring a case in their own name and capacity, while similar cases would be coordinated to strengthen the legal effort and share certain organizational and financial costs.

Participants would provide their bank statements and supporting documents, grant the necessary power of attorney and have their cases assessed individually. This is essential because depositors and retirees have different circumstances and different levels of urgency in accessing their funds.

Some may seek the rapid recovery of their principal payments because of immediate financial needs; others may choose to pursue their full legal entitlements, including interest and compensation. Each retains the right to choose the course that best corresponds to their own circumstances.

Solidarity, Transparency and Enforcement

Ollaik also outlined a solidarity-based model to help depositors who cannot afford litigation. Those able to contribute could support those who cannot, within a transparent framework governing fees, expenses and obligations. He stressed that every payment must be documented and every client kept informed of their case.

Depending on the circumstances of each file, the legal strategy may include requests to seize assets or prevent the disposal of funds and property. Procedures and timelines may vary.

He also called for legal responsibility for the financial crisis to be established through evidence and judicial proceedings rather than broad political accusations, examining the respective responsibility of those who acted, participated, facilitated or otherwise contributed to the harm.

Ollaik warned against what he described as a “counter-revolution” seeking to divide depositors and rightsholders or exploit their suffering, and called for vigilance and unity.

Depositors and Retirees: One Struggle

Retired Lebanese Army Brigadier General Sami Al-Rammah stressed that military retirees and depositors face interconnected consequences of the collapse of the Lebanese pound, including the erosion of pensions, savings and purchasing power.

He called for greater coordination among military and civilian retirees, depositors and all other groups affected by the crisis, arguing that fragmented action weakens their ability to defend their rights.

The meeting, through a Q&A session that kicked off with and intervention of lawyer Wabib Mourad, also addressed practical questions concerning legal fees, powers of attorney, required documents, dealings with banks and the time required for judicial measures.

The message from Mouttahidoun was clear: justice, solidarity, documentation, organization and responsible public action must replace waiting and empty promises.

The Smallville meeting marks the next stage following the Depositors Union’s action outside the Palace of Justice: moving from protest towards a coordinated legal process aimed at unlocking deposits and recovering rights and compensation.

Each rightsholder retains their own legal standing, responsibility and choice — while standing together in the pursuit of justice.