When you ask about the “Tuffar” (outlaws), residents of Lebanon’s Baalbek-Hermel region respond to you according to their political views. Among Hezbollah supporters, the label itself “targets the region and its reputation.” Those who oppose Hezbollah confirm that the most wanted persons are protected by the party in cooperation and coordination with state authorities. For them, the “Tuffar” are the source of all evils.
The label originates from the area of Baalbek-Hermel in the northern Bekaa. It describes outlaws who flee the country’s security services and take shelter in the outskirts of this region.
A man who called himself Duaas, an alias like the other names mentioned in this report, explained the meaning of this expression. In remarks to Asharq Al-Awsat, he said: “Tuffar are outlaws who commit crimes in light of security chaos, such as drug trafficking, car theft, stolen cars trading and kidnapping for ransom. There are barely a hundred people and they remain at large despite the security plan.”
He continued: “On the other hand, there are those who flee the security forces for committing a one-time offense or misdemeanor, such as firing in the air during a wedding or at a funeral, engaging in a dispute between the clans and other… Those are difficult to count. It is true that there are 36,000 arrest warrants, but that does not mean that the number of wanted persons is the same, because one person could have dozens of arrest warrants against him.”
It is very difficult to communicate with outlaws, as they avoid any movement pending the end of the effects of the security plan. Someone tries to help you. He calls the head of cannabis farmers, but his phone is blocked for fear of security monitoring. But then you receive another phone number, on the condition you communicate via WhatsApp, which is hard to track.
The outlaw sounds confused. He speaks with caution and hostility. At first, you feel that he will hang up. Silence goes on. Then gradually, he starts recounting his story with a trembling voice.
He tells Asharq Al-Awsat that he worked as a driver for a relative who was transporting cannabis to Beirut. An arrest warrant was issued against him and the merchant. He was advised to flee
“because no one will believe that I have nothing to do with the drug trade and that I am just a driver.”
He was 19 years old and could not find another job. He has been on the run for six years. Sometimes he visits his family in his village, sleeps for a night or two, but does not fall asleep from anxiety and fear of being arrested. Then, he returns to the outskirts, awaiting the amnesty law to return to life, marry and have children. He swears that he will not work with any outlaws anymore.
According to a lawyer, who spoke on condition of anonymity and who works on the "outlaws" file in Baalbek-Hermel, the case of this young man is similar to those of most of the fugitives.
“Ninety percent of the fugitives were charged with either shooting in weddings or funerals or because of personal problems, cheques without provision, etc. Those wanted for drug offenses account for only 5 percent,” the lawyer said.
He explains that the outlaws are not pursued by the security services if they are wanted for simple offenses. On the other hand, security bodies “are not entitled to pursue the perpetrators of major crimes because they are protected by forces that prevent their arrest.”
“The slow pace of the judicial procedures make the violators choose to flee instead of surrendering,” the lawyer said, pointing to 4,000 to 5,000 cases in Baalbek-Hermel where convicts have nothing to do with charges brought against them.
A security official refused to blame the security forces for negligence, pointing out that they were acting under judicial guidance.
“The issue is not in our hands. There must be a firm political decision, as in the current security plan,” the official said.
“Jawad”, another resident, admitted that the security plan resulted in “psychological satisfaction” for the people of the area.
“But this plan did not lead to any arrests of offenders, perpetrators and outlaws, as they all disappeared as soon as it was announced. Those, who enjoy backing and support, have fled to Syria where they pursue their work,” he told Asharq Al-Awsat.
According to Duaas, “the security committee of (Hezbollah) has a good relationship with the outlaws… No one controls their moves except the committee. That means they have a cover that prevents them from being caught. We all know that no military unit can move in the area without the knowledge of Hezbollah and in coordination with its committee.”
“If one of them is wanted, they tell him to sleep outside his home,” he said, adding that whoever has a problem with the group or was no longer needed would be terminated for no reason.
