A bank robber welcomed as a hero and supported by the crowd during his hostage crisis?
The scene takes place in Hamra, one of Beirut's main thoroughfares.
The image of Bassam Cheikh Hassan, 40s, long beard, black t-shirt, appeared almost live on TV screens and social media as he threatened Federal Bank employees with his automatic weapon as well as to set himself on fire for lack of access to his own money.
Three shots in the ceiling accredited the danger.
Several bank customers were taken hostage for hours, under threat of gasoline spilled in the branch and the robber's cigarette.
They were finally released safe and sound around 6 p.m. after long negotiations.
Bassam Cheikh cashed 35,000 dollars immediately given to his family, before surrendering to the security forces who escorted him unhandcuffed under the cheers of a crowd cheering him as a
“hero”
.
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“Give him back his money”
, have…
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