Lebanese authorities return Christine Tohme's passport after four-day confiscation

Christine Tohme, founding director of Ashkal Alwan and curator of the 13th Sharjah Biennial in 2017, had her passport returned on 25 January 2015 following a four-day confiscation by the Lebanese Directorate of General Security. The passport was seized on 20 January after her renewal application was denied due to a warrant from the domestic security agency Fera’ el Ma’alumat. Tohme contends the warrant is politically motivated and directly related to her work with Ashkal Alwan, the Lebanese Association for the Plastic Arts. In an email to ARTINFO, she expressed willingness to defend herself in court if her actions violated Lebanese law, emphasizing the need for a legal and clear context. No reason was provided for the warrant's issuance or its current status. The incident highlights tensions between cultural practitioners and state authorities in Lebanon.