BEIRUT — Judge Hani Helmi al-Hajjar, the deputy government commissioner at the military court, sent a letter to the head of the Anti-Cybercrime Bureau, directing him to conduct a preliminary investigation into a "suspicious" X account, run by activist Nadine Barakat, which is allegedly "damaging the reputation of the military institution," according to the state-run National News Agency.

According to Hajjar's letter the account systematically "spreads false news, including harming the reputation of the military institution and attacking the army's leadership."

The letter further states that the account "exceeds the freedom of expression protected by the Constitution" and operates within a framework of "intimidation, distortion, incitement, and fabrication."

"Therefore, we instruct you to open a report and conduct preliminary investigations in this regard, and inform us of the outcome," the letter added.

In January, Barakat accused Hajjar of "receiving orders" from the Secretary-General of the Future Movement, Ahmad al-Hariri, and posted a video she claimed showed Hariri giving instructions to Hajjar.

In response to the letter, Barakat strongly criticized Hajjar on Tuesday, writing on X: "Who said anything about the Army, you hypocrite? I'm talking about the military tribunal."

Nadine Barakat is an activist who is known for frequently publishing controversial posts on corruption cases involving politicians, bankers, and deputies. She is believed to reside in the United States.