On the morning of May 18, 2024, unidentified individuals set fire to a silver "Mercedes" vehicle owned by an educational inspector in the Abu Samra area of Tripoli. The fire ignited within the car and spread to a second vehicle, a "Renault," parked alongside it, resulting in both vehicles being completely burned. The incident sparked significant unrest and condemnation, drawing attention from media outlets and social media platforms.
Immediately, specialized units within the Information Branch commenced field and investigative procedures to uncover the details of the incident. Following follow-up actions and inspections at the fire scene, two suspects were identified, who had arrived at the location on a motorcycle. Through intensive investigations, the branch managed to determine their identities as:
- A. S. (born in 1985, Lebanese)
- K. Z. (born in 1995, Lebanese)
On May 29, 2024, after careful surveillance, one of the branch's patrols arrested them in the Al-Dom and Al-Farzan areas, as stated by the General Directorate of Internal Security Forces – Public Relations Division.
During the investigation, they confessed to their involvement in the arson of the car belonging to the Ministry of Education inspector in Abu Samra, based on the request of a person named (A. S., born in 1963, Lebanese), who informed them that this operation was requested by a friend residing in Germany in exchange for $100, which they received before the execution, with an agreement to receive an additional $100 afterward.
On the same date, one of the Information Branch's patrols arrested (A. S.) in the Bab Raml area. During interrogation, he confessed to the charges against him, revealing that the car burning was carried out at the request of a person and his wife residing in Germany. The latter managed a school in Tripoli, which had a pending investigation regarding the misappropriation of funds under scrutiny by the aforementioned inspector.
According to the statement from the General Directorate of Internal Security Forces, legal measures were taken against the arrested individuals, and they were referred to the relevant authority, as per the instructions of the competent judiciary. Efforts to arrest the remaining individuals involved are ongoing.
