October 31, 2026
The Elie Saliba case highlights the phenomenon of impersonation and the claim of judicial influence, in parallel with the appearance of Adam Al-Rifai’s name as a new person wanted by the judiciary in the same file.
According to the information, Al-Rifai is considered close to Saliba, and is suspected of introducing the arrested person to K. Awada Ali Saliba, claiming that the latter was able to communicate with Judge Roni Shehadeh. Data indicate that Al-Rifai is hiding in Türkiye and is wanted by the judiciary. He holds a law degree without being an affiliated lawyer.
The roots of the case go back to a statement given by the daughter of the person arrested for a drug crime (K. Awada) to a lawyer, in which she stated that her father’s agents asked the family for additional money under the pretext of allocating it to the judge. This came shortly before the indictment was issued last week, which considered the act a felony, contrary to previous promises in which the family was told that the criminal description would be reduced.
The detainee’s daughter also stated that she listened to a phone call between Al-Rifai and another person, who is likely to be Saliba, in which it was stated that “Judge Shehadeh’s financial situation is difficult.” After the lawyer conveyed these data to Judge Shehadeh, the latter immediately filed a report with the Public Prosecutor of Appeal in Mount Lebanon, Judge Sami Sader.
Judge Shehadeh is known for his honest and impartial record, as he acted quickly as soon as he was informed of the statement, and intends to act as a personal prosecutor in the case, while Judge Sami Sader continues to follow the course of the investigation until all circumstances are clear.
