August 29, 2023. Balkan Periscope - Hellas
The
Lebanese daily Al-Akhbar said the two Russian citizens are a man and wife who
were recruited by Israel's intelligence service to go to Lebanon and collect
information and take photos of facilities belonging to the terrorist group
Hezbollah.
Two Russian citizens who were recently detained in Beirut on suspicion of spying for Israel have been referred to an investigative military judge who issued arrest warrants for them, two judicial officials said Monday.
The two
Russians were detained "several weeks ago" in Beirut as they were
leaving the country through the capital's Rafik Hariri International Airport,
the officials said. The two judicial officials spoke on condition of anonymity
in line with regulations.
The head of
Lebanon's General Security Directorate Maj. Gen. Elias Baisari announced Friday
that two foreigners were detained while leaving Lebanon through the airport,
describing them as "part of a network spying for Israel." He did not
give their identities or say when they were detained.
Russia's
Sputnik News on Saturday quoted "a Russian embassy source" as saying
that the Russian consulate is trying to contact the detainees to know why they
are being held. The Russian Embassy in Beirut refused to comment when contacted
by The Associated Press, adding that the Sputnik News report is accurate.
The
Lebanese daily Al-Akhbar said the two Russian citizens are a man and wife who
were recruited by Israel's intelligence service to go to Lebanon and collect
information and take photos of facilities belonging to the terrorist group
Hezbollah.
Lebanon and
Israel have formally been at war since Israel's creation in 1948. Israel and
Hezbollah fought to a draw in a month-long war in Lebanon in 2006. Hezbollah
has in the past claimed downing Israeli drones, and Israel's military also has
said in the past that they have shot down Hezbollah drones. Israel considers
Hezbollah its most serious immediate threat, estimating it has some 150,000
rockets and missiles aimed at Israel.
Israel Hayom
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