Former Lebanese Army soldier arrested for alleged rape of children to be tried in civilian court

BEIRUT — A former Lebanese Army soldier arrested Tuesday in the Bekaa village of al-Qaa on charges of several counts of molestation and rape of minors will be tried in a civilian court, a Lebanese army spokesperson told L’Orient Today.

Here’s what we know:

    • Lebanese Army Intelligence on Tuesday arrested the suspect, in his 50s, who allegedly sexually assaulted several children in the village, the exact number of which is still under investigation.

    • The Lebanon Army spokesperson said the suspect is “considered a civilian, as all retired soldiers are,” adding that the army would not release any statements on the matter as it does not pertain to them.

    • When asked if the retired soldier would lose his pension or army retirement benefits if convicted of the felony, Abou Eid said that depends on the eventual ruling in the case by the civilian court.