A Doubtful Decision to Disbar Ollaik While He Continues His Fight Against Corruption to The End

A Doubtful Decision to Disbar Ollaik While He Continues His Fight Against Corruption to The End

Beirut, November 27, 2021

On November 23, 2021, Attorney Rami Ollaik of Beirut Bar Association (BBA) was notified of the Bar’s Disciplinary Council decision of disbarring him permanently. On May 28, 2021, BBA Head then, Attorney Melhem Khalaf, embarked on Ollaik’s arrest case, at the time, of concerning breaches of attorney and human rights and freedom of speech by Lebanese judicial and security authorities to justify a nearly four months lawyers’ full strike. Ironically, the long strike had come to no significant outcome upon its lifting on September 23, 2021 due to seemingly shady deals undertaken. Within this context, an important question has aroused: How could Khalaf’s ‘futile’ decision end up with BBA Disciplinary Council’s ‘doubtful’ decision of disbarring Ollaik?

It has recently become widespread that BBA has been biased towards lack of standards and unjust treatments of its lawyers who have taken vocal stances in combatting unprecedented corruption practices in Lebanon. Khalaf’s flagrant resorting to   malicious decisions against Ollaik, among other lawyers, has reflected ulterior motives as to the ‘price’ of ending the lawyers’ strike. This said, the decision of disbarring Ollaik has also revealed an unparalleled moral breakdown of law practice in the country, meant as well to viciously influence the outcome of BBA elections that took place on November 21, 2021 and that marked the end of Khalaf’s heading of the bar. Not to mention the ‘unusual’ delay in announcing the decision of disbarring Ollaik from its issuing date on November 18^th to the 23^rd. A common understanding has been floating around: The price of bringing the lawyers’ strike to an end as such was ‘Ollaik’s head’, after he has openly embarked on fighting corruption on all levels through the United for Lebanon Alliance – UFL (Mottahidoun).

Serious concerns have also aroused as to Ollaik’s disbarring being ‘unfounded’, lacking legal ground and being overly spiteful. Along this, a wide coalition of lawyers has stepped forward to defend Ollaik, where an annulment motion has been prepared and due to be submitted in front of the Appeal Court of Beirut this Monday, November 29, 2021. Having realized that the matter is essentially beyond Ollaik alone, a good number of lawyers have come to unity to form a solid front against the latest infringements upon their rights, after Khalaf’s rule of BBA has been dubbed by many as ‘a destructive era’ to the long prestigious practices of the bar. High hopes are placed on the newly elected BBA Head and Council to reverse such a vicious cycle and to adopt quick resolutions enabling the restoration of the bar’s ‘historic’ role through a much duly deliverance process. 

While Ollaik continues to pursue his vocal fight against corruption on behalf of all his colleagues and the Lebanese people no matter the cost, a wakeup call to all lawyers, judges and concerned Lebanese has soon to find listening ears. The country of Lebanon has stooped to rock bottom at almost all socioeconomic and political levels, unmatched throughout its modern history. UFL, founded and headed by Ollaik, is adamant on pursuing a much needed reform on many fronts; the judicial reform, instilling accountability in public institutions, the bank depositors restoration described as ‘the robbery of the century’, safeguarding the Seaport Crime case and investigations resulting from Beirut’s ‘semi-nuclear’ explosion, NSSF funds restoration, curbing of the garbage crisis and ramifications, and so on. A pressing issue for all Lebanese, residents and expats.

Keywords: Lebanon, Beirut, Ollaik, Khalaf, Corruption, BBA Strike, United for Lebanon, Mottahidoun, Seaport, Lebanese Banks

See also: https://www.trtworld.com/magazine/exclusive-eu-set-for-deeper-intervention-plan-in-lebanon-39280

https://www.unitedforlebanon.com/en/press-freedom/73/freedom-of-speech-and-human-rights-in