Army: Arrest of Individuals Linked to Kidnapping of Saudi Citizen

A patrol from the Lebanese Army Intelligence managed to arrest suspects in the plains of E’yat in Baalbek, connected to the kidnapping of a Saudi citizen in Beirut weeks ago, in addition to their involvement in kidnapping operations and drug trafficking. The army's statement read: "Following a previous announcement regarding raids and the arrest of wanted individuals in the Al-Sharawneh district – Baalbek on 10/7/2023, a patrol from the Intelligence Directorate arrested on 11/7/2023 in the area of E’yat – Baalbek, citizens (H.A.) and (K.A.) along with Syrians (S.F.) and (T.K.) for firing upon a military patrol during the raids, resulting in slight injuries to two soldiers, in addition to forming a kidnapping and drug trafficking gang, and their participation in the kidnapping of a Saudi national on an earlier date." The statement noted that army units, "aided by a patrol from the Intelligence Directorate in the town of Biyaqout - Metn, carried out raids on the homes of those involved in an incident that occurred on 10/7/2023, resulting in three injuries, arrested six individuals, and confiscated a vehicle, two Kalashnikov rifles, and a war pistol, along with a quantity of hashish. The confiscated items were submitted, and investigations with the detainees have begun under the supervision of the competent judiciary."