Thirteen Lebanese sentenced for collaboration with “Israel”

“ Beirut's military court Wednesday sentenced 13 Lebanese suspected of "collaboration with “Israel”," a court source said.

Two were sentenced in absentia, one to be executed and the other to life in prison.

The remaining 11 were given a variety of sentences. In some cases, fines of between 330 and 660 dollars were levied while, in others, prison sentences of up to three weeks were imposed.

In total, 1,581 sentences have been ordered since the June 5 start of the trial of some 2,200 Lebanese accused of collaborating with the Jewish state before its May 24 withdrawal from southern Lebanon after 22 years of occupation.

Most of the former fighters with the pro-”Israeli” militiamen have been sentenced to jail terms of one to two years in prison, along with a ban of the same duration against visiting the former occupied zone where they used to live.

Some have been found innocent and others, mainly women, have only been fined for going to the "enemy state" of “Israel”.

After sitting just once a week during the court holiday season, the military court has returned to holding three marathon sessions per week to wrap up the matter.

Hizbullah which spearheaded the anti-”Israeli” resistance has frequently criticised the lightness of the sentences.

 AFP, 29-11-2000.