Arrest of Georges Dib

Lebanese authorities on Sunday arrested Georges Dib, an online influencer known for his food videos on TikTok as "Doctor Food," according to a judicial source who spoke on condition of anonymity. Dib, who has more than eight million followers on TikTok, was apprehended at his home in the far north governorate of Akkar. He had previously been handed a life sentence in absentia for drug trafficking.

Dib, who also owns a confectionery business, is to be taken to a detention centre in Mount Lebanon, where he will face a new trial on further drug trafficking charges, the source added.

Background and allegations

Two years ago, the Lebanese judiciary issued a warrant for Dib, accusing him of "manufacturing narcotics, trafficking and smuggling them abroad," according to Lebanon's state-run National News Agency (NNA). The NNA reported at the time that authorities had seized confectionery and other food products at Beirut's Rafic Hariri International Airport that contained narcotics and were manufactured in factories owned by Dib. The products were slated to be shipped to a Gulf country.

Despite the arrest warrant and conviction, Dib continued to post videos on TikTok. Last month, after news of his conviction became public, he denied the accusations in a video, urging his followers not to listen to what was being said about him.

Social media prominence and personal life

Dib rose to prominence on social media by posting content about cooking and daily life with his ex-wife, known as Shorouk, a Canadian of Palestinian origin who has more than 15 million followers. The couple separated after she accused him of abuse. On Saturday night, Shorouk held a "divorce party" at a seaside resort in Lebanon, an event attended by thousands of her followers.