One Suspect Cleared in Karami Murder

BEIRUT — Charges were dropped Monday against one of two people detained in connection with the murder last June of Lebanese Premier Rashid Karami, officials said.

Judicial officials said that army Sgt. Ibrahim Dagher will be set free after charges of facilitating Karami’s murder and violating state security were dropped for lack of evidence.

Karami was killed when a bomb ripped through his army helicopter on June 1. Another soldier, Elie Sleibi, is being held by Swedish authorities for questioning.

Dagher, an army mechanic based at the Adma air base in a Christian-held area north of Beirut, was arrested July 16. Karami’s helicopter had begun its journey from Adma before the fatal blast.