The intelligence services found the murder weapon near the home of one of the suspects. (Credit: Lebanese Army)
The Lebanese Army has reported that its intelligence services conducted two operations on Monday as part of the investigation into the murder of Sunni Sheikh Ahmad Rifai in Akkar in northern Lebanon. One of the operations resulted in the discovery of the murder weapon near the home of one of the suspects, Yehya Rifai, who is the victim's cousin and is currently under arrest.
According to the army's statement, "Two operations were carried out on Feb. 27, 2023. The first one led to the discovery of a deposit of weapons, ammunition, military equipment, communication tools and masks inside a secret room in al-Andalus school, which belongs to Yehya Rifai and inside the house of M.A. in the city of Karkaf. A second operation led to the discovery of the weapon that was used to kill Sheikh Ahmad Rifai, as well as the license plates of the car that was used in the kidnapping. These were placed in nylon bags and buried in a plot of land near Yehya Rifai's house."
Ahmad Rifai's body was found buried in Akkar on Sunday, a week after his disappearance. Five suspects have been arrested in connection with his kidnapping and murder, including the son and nephews of Yehya Rifai, who is the chairman of the municipality of Karkaf village in Akkar. The preliminary investigation suggests that the victim was lured into an ambush by his abductors, following a family dispute.
Ahmad Rifai was known for his anti-Hezbollah stance and opposition to the pro-Iranian axis in Lebanon. According to press reports, his last sermon was about drug trafficking in areas under the influence of the Shiite party.