Lebanon Indicts 13 Over Hezbollah Explosives Smuggling
Translated & summarized from Arab48 by baba
Lebanon has indicted 13 people, including two in custody, for their alleged role in smuggling 500 kilograms of Hezbollah explosives seized on October 8th. The charges include violating government orders and possessing explosives, with potential penalties of up to ten years hard labor. Hezbollah later claimed ownership of the TNT and C4 shipment, demanding the release of those arrested. The indictment follows increased pressure on the group, with the US urging Lebanon to prosecute those responsible for the shipment.
The story in 6 lines · by baba
- Lebanon indicted 13 people, including two in custody, for their alleged involvement with a Hezbollah explosives shipment.
- Security forces seized 500 kilograms of TNT and C4 explosives on October 8th en route to Beirut.
- Hezbollah later claimed ownership of the explosives and demanded the release of the detainees.
- The accused face charges including violating government orders and possessing explosives, with potential ten-year sentences.
- The indictment follows increased international pressure on the Iran-backed Hezbollah group.
- The US urged Lebanon to hold accountable those responsible for the explosives shipment.
Lebanon's Government Commissioner to the Military Court has indicted 13 individuals, including two already in custody, for their alleged involvement in a Hezbollah explosives shipment seized by security forces this month. A judicial source reported on Friday that the indictment includes charges of violating government decisions, possessing weapons and explosives, and forming illegal associations aimed at undermining state authority. The accused face up to ten years of hard labor. The case has been referred to the First Military Investigating Judge, Ghada Aoun, for further investigation and arrest warrants.
The security forces intercepted a truck carrying 500 kilograms of high explosives on October 8th while it was en route from eastern Lebanon to Beirut. The driver and a passenger were arrested at the time. Hezbollah later acknowledged ownership of the explosives, demanding the release of the detainees and their cargo. The truck was found to be carrying 250 kilograms of TNT and 250 kilograms of C4.
Among the indicted are eight individuals whose identities are fully known, including the two detainees and the wife of one of them. The remaining five are identified only by military nicknames. One of the detainees is reportedly the son of a Hezbollah official. The indictment comes amid increasing pressure on the Iran-backed Hezbollah, following a government decision last year, under US pressure, to disarm the group.
Hezbollah MP Hassan Fadlallah stated on October 15th that the shipment contained "capabilities used by the resistance in resisting the Israeli occupation." Following this, a US official revealed that Secretary of State Marco Rubio urged Lebanese President Joseph Aoun in a phone call to hold accountable all those who ordered, funded, and managed the shipment, emphasizing that returning the explosives to Hezbollah should not be an option. Hezbollah opposes disarmament, framing it as resistance to Israel, and also opposes direct negotiations with Israel under US auspices.
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