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Spy equipment seized in Lebanon (archives)
Photo: AFP

Senior Lebanese employee suspected of spying for Israel

Authorities arrest manager responsible for outgoing international phone calls in Lebanese telecom company Ogero. According to Lebanese reports, he confessed to being in contact with Jewish state

The investigation of telecom companies operating in Lebanon is gaining speed. Lebanese intelligence services arrested a senior employee of Lebanese telecommunications provider Ogero on suspicions that he helped Israeli intelligence collect information.

 

Lebanese newspaper as-Safir reported on Monday that the suspect, 66, was arrested after communications between him and Israel were intercepted. He reportedly confessed during his investigation to being in contact with Israel for years.

 

The man, who lives in Lebanon's Chouf mountains, works in the technical department of the international wing of the company. He was supposed to retire a year ago, but extended his work contract by another year.

 

A few days ago, an indictment was filed by the Lebanese prosecutor's office against Tarek Rabaa, who works for Lebanese cellular company Alfa, for spying for Israel. A legal official reported that he could receive the death penalty should he be convicted.

 

Hezbollah Secretary-General Hassan Nasrallah, who is scheduled to speak Tuesday evening, is expected to address the recent espionage findings and to claim that Israel, whom he claims has commandeered Lebanon's telecommunications sector, planted allegedly fictitious testimonies in telephone conversations within Lebanon.

 

According to Nasrallah, such testimonies provided the basis for the allegations made against members of his organization coming together in the international tribunal into the assassination of former Lebanese Prime Minister Rafik al-Hariri.

 

Lebanese reports of spying for Israel have increased in recent years. A few months ago, the Lebanese military arrested another man suspected of collaborating with Israel. Lebanese newspaper as-Safir reported that the Lebanese military force arrested the man in the northern city of Tripoli on suspicions of cooperating with the Mossad. The suspect, Jawdat Kh., was handed over for investigation.

 

Last year, Lebanon reported the arrest of 23 similar spy rings, whose members are currently in the midst of the legal process.

 

 


פרסום ראשון: 08.02.10, 13:16
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