Lebanon’s military judiciary has shifted course in handling security cases involving Hezbollah members, with the military court in Beirut interrogating four suspects in a case tied to the possession and transport of rockets and military-grade weapons.
On Tuesday, two Hezbollah members appeared before First Military Investigative Judge Ghada Abu Alwan, who questioned them and issued in-person arrest warrants.
The move came more than two weeks after their arrest in Kfarhouneh, Mount Lebanon, for transporting 21 rockets from the Bekaa to southern Lebanon, in breach of a government decision banning Hezbollah’s military and security activities.
A judicial source said the three-hour session was attended by their defense lawyer, Maan al-Asaad.
The detainees admitted moving the rockets, the source told Asharq Al-Awsat, saying they were carrying out their duty in confronting the Israeli army, which they said occupies Lebanese land and repeatedly attacks the country.
They described their actions as part of a resistance duty protected under international law.
Abu Alwan ordered their detention based on charges filed by the Government Commissioner to the Military Court, Judge Claude Ghanem, under Article 72 of the arms law and Article 288 of the penal code.
Article 72 criminalizes the possession or transport of military weapons without a license, while Article 288 provides for temporary hard labor for acts that could expose Lebanon to hostile actions.
Article 288 also penalizes anyone who violates state measures to preserve neutrality in war, or carries out unauthorized acts, writings or speeches that could expose the country or its citizens to hostile or retaliatory actions.
Asharq Al-Awsat has learned that the suspects’ lawyer requested their release, either unconditionally or on bail, but the judicial source said the judge is likely to reject the request given the charges.
An indictment is expected within days, with the case to be referred to the Permanent Military Court. Authorities have also ordered the confiscation of the seized weapons for the Lebanese army.
In a related case, Military Investigative Judge George Mezher questioned another Hezbollah member detained for transporting military weapons after he was found with six machine guns and four pistols, and ordered his detention.
Another suspect had earlier been detained by Investigative Judge Rayan al-Masri on similar charges of transporting unlicensed weapons in violation of the government ban.
Separately, lawyers and activists staged a sit-in outside the Palace of Justice in solidarity with the detainees, calling for their release.
