Lebanon: 6 more accused of spying for Israel

Six Lebanese were charged with spying for Israel on Wednesday, judicial sources said, bringing to 12 the number of Lebanese citizens formally accused in recent weeks of espionage for the Jewish state.

Lebanese judicial officials say that a military prosecutor has charged the six with collaboration with Israel, generally synonymous with spying in Lebanese legal jargon and a crime punishable by death in the country.

Simultaneously, Hizbullah's al-Manar television station reported that two additional spy rings working for Israel had recently been exposed. According to the report, Lebanese military intelligence uncovered two cells in two villages in southern Lebanon.

The report claimed that an agent named Rassan H' had been arrested in the village of Aitrun for trying to enlist people to collaborate with Israel and that communication devices had been found in his possession.

Members of the second cell, in Ein Eibel, Kemil and Rizak A', have allegedly fled Lebanon, al-Manar asserted, saying that Lebanese intelligence continues to investigate the cell and locate them. Computers were found in their home

Previous arrests

Lebanese authorities are currently holding up to 25 suspects in what security sources say is a widening investigation into espionage for Israel. Those charged on Wednesday included a senior police officer, along with his wife and sister. It is unknown whether all six suspects are Lebanese.

It's not known if the six arrested Wednesday are affiliated with previous detainees. A retired general in the powerful General Security directorate, his wife and nephew were charged last month with spying for Israel.

The six accused on Wednesday face charges including supplying Israel with information to help its armed forces and visiting the neighboring state without permission. Israel has not commented on the arrests.

AP and Reuters contributed to this report