A wanted poster for Salim Ayache tweeted by the US Sate Department on Monday. (Credit: @Rewards4Justice/Twitter)
BEIRUT – The US State Department announced on Monday that it was offering a reward of up to $10 million for any information on Salim Ayyash, a member of Hezbollah who was found guilty of participating in the attack that killed former Lebanese Prime Minister Rafik Hariri on Feb. 14, 2005.
Here's what we know:
• “Reward! Up to $10 Million for Info on Salim Ayyash . This Hezbollah terrorist is hiding. Help us find him. Text us your information. You could be eligible for a reward,” a tweet from the US State Department’s Rewards for Justice Twitter account read.
• The individual in question, "also known as Jabber" is presented as being "a senior member of Unit 121, the assassination team of the terrorist group Hezbollah. Send your information by Signal, Telegram or WhatsApp to the following number: +1-202-702-7843. You may be able to receive a reward," the tweet continued.
• The Special Tribunal for Lebanon (STL) found Salim Ayyash guilty in a van bomb attack that killed former Lebanese Prime Minister Rafik Hariri and around 20 others on Feb. 14, 2005. Ayyash was sentenced in absentia to life imprisonment, and the STL issued an international arrest warrant against him. However, he is still at large.
• In September 2021, the US State Department also announced that it was offering a reward of up to $7 million for any information on Talal Hamiye, presented as being an external security official of Hezbollah. The US government considers Hezbollah a terrorist organization.