A photo taken by security forces of one of the suspects and seized contraband. (Credit: NNA)
BEIRUT — Three men were arrested for their alleged involvement in the death of three soldiers as well as for kidnapping and torturing other victims, the Internal Security Forces announced Friday. The three suspects, two Lebanese and one Syrian, were operating throughout Lebanon and the criminal mastermind had previously served prison time.
Here’s what we know:
• According to the ISF, the three men had formed a gang and have been “kidnapping people for ransom, stealing their money and cars and torturing their victims,” while impersonating security guards. The first man, J.H., a 34-year-old Lebanese citizen, is the leader of the gang and is known to the police, officials said. The ISF pointed out that he was released from prison in 2016, without specifying the charges, and said he is accused of killing three soldiers in clashes in Hermel, Bekaa, last February.
• Another Lebanese man, aged 45, shot at security forces during his arrest, forcing them to shoot back, officials said. The individual was wounded in the leg before he was arrested. All three men admitted to the charges, which included forming a gang, kidnapping, robbery, attempted murder, car theft, forgery and identity theft, resisting the army and shooting at officers.
• A report by Information International showed an increase in car thefts by 19 percent and murders by 20 percent, while theft crimes decreased by 33 percent and suicides by 38.5 percent during the first five months of 2022 and compared with last year’s figures.