2 Germans abducted in Lebanon released, arrested on drug charges

Two Germans abducted in Lebanon were released on Saturday morning by armed forces but were later arrested by judiciary police on drug trafficking charges, the Lebanese National News Agency reported. The report said the two Germans were kidnapped on Friday in Shlifa in Deir al-Ahmar, eastern Lebanon. "The freed Germans are now in police custody and being questioned for drug trafficking charges," a local security source told Xinhua. Investigations revealed that the kidnapping took place as the two Germans failed to pay 5,000 euros (about 6,745 U.S. dollars) owed to the abductors for drugs, said the source. The police has sought the assistance of the German embassy in Lebanon, asking for translators to assist the investigation.