Lebanon charges woman with collaborating with Israel

Judge Fadi Akiki indicts Kinda El-Khatib for visiting the Jewish state and 'dealing with spies of the Israeli enemy'; dozens rally in Beirut demanding the release of the woman, who was detained last week

Associated Press |
A Lebanese political activist who was detained last week was charged on Monday with collaborating with Israel and referred to a military prosecutor, Lebanon's state-run news agency reported.
  • Follow Ynetnews on Facebook and Twitter

  • The National News Agency said Government Commissioner to the Military Court Judge Fadi Akiki charged Kinda El-Khatib with visiting Israel and "dealing with spies of the Israeli enemy."
    The report added that the judge referred El-Khatib to a military investigative judge for questioning. The military judge is expected to issue a formal arrest warrant.
    1 View gallery
    חיילים מצבא דרום לבנון כיוונו אחר הצהריים מטולי RPG אל כוחות צבא שהיו ב"פעילות באזור משגב עם
    חיילים מצבא דרום לבנון כיוונו אחר הצהריים מטולי RPG אל כוחות צבא שהיו ב"פעילות באזור משגב עם
    IDF tank on Israel-Lebanon border
    (Photo: Efi Shrir )
    Lebanon and Israel are in a state of war and each bans its citizens from visiting the other country.
    El-Khatib was detained last week with her brother, who was later released. According to local media reports, she had visited Israel by crossing from Jordan.
    She has been active on social media, where she harshly criticized Lebanon's militant Hezbollah group and its strong ally, Lebanese President Michel Aoun.
    Hezbollah and Israel fought a monthlong war in 2006. Shortly before the charges were filed Monday, dozens rallied in Beirut demanding El-Khatib's release and saying that she was innocent.
    The protesters say El-Khatib's case is similar to that of Ziad Itani, a Lebanese stage actor who was released in 2018 after being cleared of charges of collaborating with Israel. Itani spent about four months in prison.
    Comments
    The commenter agrees to the privacy policy of Ynet News and agrees not to submit comments that violate the terms of use, including incitement, libel and expressions that exceed the accepted norms of freedom of speech.
    ""