Lebanese security forces
Photo: AP
3 more detained in Lebanon on suspicion of spying for Israel
Lebanese police continue arrests in case of pro-Israel spy ring that has allegedly infiltrated Hizbullah
Lebanon's
security forces on Saturday detained three additional suspects in a case of espionage for Israel,
in which a retired officer in the Lebanese army has already been charged. According to the report by Kuwait's news agency, the officer's testimony led to the three arrests.
The suspects include two Lebanese and one Palestinian – Ibrahim Awad, nephew of the leader of Fatah al-Islam. The report says the three were arrested in a police raid on their homes in Sidon, in southern Lebanon.
Case History
Former general Adeeb al-Alam, wife, nephew charged with establishing contact with Israel's Mossad 'with aim of facilitating its aggressive acts' and 'visiting enemy country' without permission
Police are still searching for one more suspect in the case of the alleged espionage ring, which has already led to six arrests.
The report from Kuwait says security forces in Lebanon received information on the three men from Adeeb al-Alam, a retired brigadier general of the prominent General Security directorate, who was arrested along with his wife and nephew.
The arrests were described in local reports as an important achievement for Lebanese security, said to be cracking down on espionage rings allegedly tracking Hizbullah agents for the benefit of Israel.
Al-Alam was formally charged on Thursday with establishing contact with Israel's Mossad "and supplying it with information about military and civilian Lebanese and Syrian centers with the aim of facilitating its aggressive acts".
The Al-Hayat daily reported that the ring had succeeded in infiltrating Hizbullah's ranks and that the group has subsequently taken measures to prevent further espionage by advocating the arrests.
