Lebanon charges 43 insurgents over Arsal clashes

Lebanon charges 43 insurgents over Arsal clashes
Thu Aug 14, 2014 18:50:28

Lebanon has charged 43 jihadists, including Takfiri terrorist commander Imad Jomaa, over armed clashes with the Lebanese Army forces in the northeastern border town of Arsal.

The charges were brought on Thursday against the suspects by Military Prosecutor Saqr Saqr, who blamed them for carrying out terrorist acts, attacking the Lebanese Army in Arsal, and killing and kidnapping soldiers and police officers, Lebanon-based The Daily Star reported.

Citing a judicial source, the report states that the men charged were commanders in extremist Takfiri terror gangs involved in a foreign-backed insurgency war in Syria, including the notorious ISIL terror group, al-Qaeda-linked Nusra Front, and the Farouq Brigade.

Among those charged was Sirajeddine Zoraiqat, the Lebanese spokesman for the Nusra Front in Syria, the source said.

The source further stated that only 10 of the suspects were in custody – one Lebanese and nine Syrians. The others, including four Lebanese and 29 Syrians, remain at large.

All those charged face the death penalty if convicted.

Saqr referred the suspects to Investigative Judge Riad Abu Ghayda for further interrogation.

It was Jomaa’s arrest by the Lebanese Army that reportedly led to the August 2 Takfiri terrorist intrusion into the border town of Arsal.

The terrorists fought fierce battles with the Army before they were forced to retreat toward the Syrian border last week, taking with them a number of Lebanese soldiers and police officers as hostages.

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