A 70-year-old detainee died in Zahle Prison after battling illness, having spent five years in detention without trial. His death came two days after another inmate died in Roumieh Prison, bringing prison deaths in Lebanon to 71 since the start of 2026, according to the Committee of Prisoners’ Families.
Lebanon’s prisons are operating at nearly 300% capacity. Of the 6,212 inmates recorded in March, around 82% were in pretrial detention, according to the National Human Rights Commission.
Overcrowding has worsened shortages of food, water, medicine, hygiene supplies, bedding, and clothing, amid deteriorating infrastructure and inadequate medical and transport equipment.
More than 48 prison deaths were recorded throughout 2025, compared with 71 in less than eight months of 2026. The latest case has renewed concerns over delayed trials, prolonged detention, medical neglect, and overcrowding.
