Fadl Shaker

Fadl Shaker فضل شاكر
Fadl Shaker at a performance in 2008
Background information
Birth name	Fadl Abdulrahman Shamandar فضل عبد الرحمن شمندر
Born	(1969-04-01) April 1, 1969 (age 47) Lebanon
Origin	Lebanon
Genres	Lebanese, pan-Arab music, pop, arabesque pop
Years active	1996-2011
Labels	Rotana
Website	http://fadlshaker.do.am/

Fadl Abdulrahman Shamandar (Arabic: فضل عبد الرحمن شمندر‎‎ Arabic pronunciation: [fadˤl ʕabdurraħmaːn ʃamandar]) better known as Fadl Shaker (Arabic: فضل شاكر‎‎ Arabic pronunciation: [fadˤl ʃaːkɪr]) (born April 1, 1969) is a former prominent Lebanese singer of Lebanese and Palestinian origin. During his musical career he was signed to Al Khouyoul Records and from 2003 onwards with Rotana Records. In 2011, he declared his allegiance to Salafist sheikh Ahmed al-Assir renouncing music on religious grounds and retiring from his career in music. In June 2013, al-Assir militants attacked the Lebanese Army killing 18 soldiers and wounding 40. Shaker claimed to have killed two soldiers himself. Al-Assir and Shaker later fled and arrest warrants were issued for their capture. During the events, militants went into his villa in Saida, Lebanon and burnt it down. Shaker's whereabouts remain unknown, but media reports confirm he is in hiding in Ain al-Hilweh Palestinian refugee camp. The Lebanese military prosecutor general has signed warrants for his arrest and charged him for a number of crimes including taking part in armed rebellion and in murders. If convicted, he can possibly face life imprisonment or the death penalty.

In February 2015, Lebanese media reported that he had retained the legal services of Attorney May El Khansa, who announced that Shaker is considering surrendering himself to the Lebanese authorities for a possible lighter sentence. In March 2015, he announced on LBCI news that he has separated himself from sheikh Al-Assir and that he doesn't have any ties with him anymore. He recanted his previous admission of killing the two soldiers, and he also said that he hopes to return to his normal life. Since then, he has come out of hiding and has returned to his home, but for unbeknownst reasons he still hasn't been arrested. A protest on August 20, 2015 was held in downtown Beirut demanding arrests of the 56 men wanted in relation to the murders of June 2013.