Minors arrested for vandalizing religious symbols in Saida cemetery

Six minors were arrested on Monday for vandalizing a Maronite cemetery in Saida, South Lebanon, the Lebanese Army said in a statement.

The army said it had arrested the suspects, who are being investigated by the relevant judiciary for their involvement in the vandalization that took place on Friday.

Earlier on Monday, Internal Security Forces contradicted the army's statement, saying said it had arrested two minors for vandalizing a Maronite cemetery in Saida.

According to the ISF statement, the two minors were both born in 2008 and their initials are I.I. and K.H.

The ISF also said the children destroyed crosses and statues. They allegedly confessed, saying that they did it with the intention of "hurting and damaging."

The investigation is ongoing under the relevant judiciary, the ISF added.

This vandalism of the Maronite cemetery was widely denounced on Friday, drawing condemnation from the president of the municipality of Saida, Mohammad Saodi.