AI-Generated Audio Sparks Outrage in Lebanon: Singer Ragheb Alama Denies Insulting Nasrallah
Ragheb Alama disavows alleged AI-generated voice recording deemed offensive to late Hezbollah leader; public backlash escalates despite legal closure.
Watan-Lebanon witnessed a wave of tension and public anger following the circulation of an audio recording allegedly attributed to Lebanese singer Ragheb Alama, which was said to contain offensive remarks against the late Hezbollah Secretary-General Hassan Nasrallah.
Alama strongly denied the recording, describing it as “fabricated” and likely produced using artificial intelligence (AI) technologies. He stated:“AI scares me now more than my own voice.”
The Lebanese judiciary moved quickly, launching an official investigation in which Alama was interrogated. A settlement was reached with the plaintiff, leading to the legal closure of the case—but public anger continued to simmer.
A private school owned by Alama in central Beirut was stormed, vandalized, and set ablaze. Angry slogans were scrawled on the walls, including:“No insults to the martyrs” and “Red line, Ragheb.”
في لبنان… كلمة تولّع بلد.. راغب علامة بيدفع ثمن “جملة مفبركة”.. حرقوا مدرسة على ملكه وقاضوه في المحاكم.. فماهي حقيقة التهجّم على حسن نصر الله؟ pic.twitter.com/Ig0APcT0rT
— وطن. يغرد خارج السرب (@watanserb_news) July 4, 2025
The incident has sparked widespread debate about AI-generated content and its ability to incite unrest, especially in a fragile sectarian and political environment like Lebanon.
Is this a case of digital forgery targeting a public figure?
Or is it the ignition of a new conflict in the ongoing battle of symbols and loyalties?
In an age of “fake voices and misleading images,” no one is truly safe.
