Lebanese soldiers on border
Photo: AP
Lebanon: 1 more arrest in 'pro-Israel' spy-ring case
Just ahead of elections, Hizbullah says exposed another link in alleged pro-Israel espionage case
A Lebanese newspaper known for its affiliation with Hizbullah reported Friday that the organization's internal security had recently exposed another link in an alleged pro-Israel spy ring.
Al-Akhbar's report says M. Awada, a 55-year old car salesman from the town of Nabatiya, traveled back and forth a number of times to Belgium and Africa. It said a search through his home prior to his arrest had revealed technological equipment and a tracking device that had been planted in his vehicle.
Ongoing Case
Lebanese police continue arrests in case of pro-Israel spy ring that has allegedly infiltrated Hizbullah
Lebanese arrests in the case of the alleged espionage ring began in April, when Adeeb al-Alam, a retired brigadier general of the prominent General Security directorate, was arrested along with his wife and nephew.
Later in April three additional suspects were detained on suspicion of cooperating with al-Alam, including Lebanese Ali Montash and the nephew of a former Fatah al-Islam leader.
A top security official told al-Akhbar that Montash provided Israel with very valuable information. "He admitted to carrying out security investigations in all of the positions and buildings used by Hizbullah in the Nabatiya area. He transferred the results to the Israelis before the Second Lebanon War and after," the official said.
The indictment against al-Alam says he maintained contact with the Israeli Mossad and "provided information about the Lebanese and Syrian armies and civilian centers in an attempt to aid an offensive".
If the suspects are convicted they are expected to be handed a death sentence.
Lebanese news agencies have reported that al-Alam has been working for Israel since 1984 and that the espionage ring he heads has infiltrated Hizbullah's ranks. The former officer has served in Lebanon's passport control.
The accusations by Hizbullah come just a month ahead of a scheduled nationwide election in Lebanon. The recent accomplishments touted by the group can give them an advantage over their anti-Syrian rivals, led by Saad Hariri.
