2 additional suspects referred to judge in kidnapping case

Two additional suspects in the kidnapping of over 20 people two months ago were referred to Military Judge Imad Zein Monday. One of the suspects is a member of the Meqdad clan, which snatched more than two dozen Syrians in addition to a Turkish businessman in Beirut on Aug. 15 in retaliation for the abduction of their relative in Syria. The suspects were referred from Military Prosecutor Sakr Sakr and charged with the same crimes as the previous 9 suspects. In an Army raid of several neighborhoods in Beirut’s southern suburbs last month, eight people, six members of Meqdad and two Syrians, were detained for involvement in the spree of abductions. The detainees were charged by the military prosecutor with creating an armed organization with the aim of carrying out terrorist acts and kidnappings. The six Meqdads were also charged with intimidating people with weapons and threatening military personnel. The charge sheet additionally includes possession of unlicensed arms as well as explosives. Last month Meqdad clan spokesman Maher Meqdad was arrested by Lebanese Army Intelligence during a raid on his house in Haret Hreik. Judge Zein later issued arrest warrants against six of the Meqdad clan, including Maher Meqdad. The remaining Meqdad suspect is currently detained and under interrogation. The clan released most of their kidnapped weeks after the abduction, while four Syrians were later released in a Lebanese Army raid nearly a month later. Turkish businessman Aydin Tufan Tekin was released on Sept. 11 under pressure from the military. Judge Zein also questioned two witnesses Monday over the kidnapping, postponing the session to an unspecified date to call further witnesses. From DailyStar