Arrest warrants issued for four of 54 ex-detainees

Military investigating magistrates issued arrest warrants on Thursday against four men handed over by the Syrian authorities last week as part of a group of 54 detainees.
Two warrants were issued against Hassan Mehdi and Ali Zeidan, who are both in custody, on charges of setting up gangs to execute terrorist acts, threatening the government’s security, and spying for “Israel”.
Chief Military Investigating Magistrate Riad Talih requested that an unidentified former “Israeli”-allied militiaman, who was one of those handed over by Syria, be sentenced to life in prison with hard labor. Talih accused the man of contacting the enemy, entering its territory, and executing terrorist acts.
Investigating Magistrate Abdullah Hajj requested that Hikmat Beydoun be sentenced to death for spying for “Israel” and providing it with information.
All suspects have been referred to the Military Tribunal.
l The Military Tribunal handed down sentences to 24 people, mostly former militiamen, late Wednesday after convicting them of collaborating with “Israel”.
The prison terms ranged from three weeks to 15 years.  The defendants were also fined between LL400,000 and LL5 million. The court acquitted two defendants of collaboration charges and dropped charges against five others. Three of the 24 defendants were sentenced in absentia to 15 years in jail for collaborating with “Israel” and joining the militia.

The Daily Star, 22-12-2000.