"Suspects involved in facilitating the activity of prostitution networks. (Credit: ISF website/isf.gov.lb.)
BEIRUT — Internal Security Forces (ISF) announced on Wednesday that they have arrested five suspects between May 23, 26, and 27, involved in a prostitution network that reportedly has ties in Jounieh, Kesrouan, where the Maameltein neighborhood is known as a location for prostitution.
The accused, four men of Lebanese nationality and one woman of Syrian nationality, are implicated in these networks, including the kidnapping of young girls working within these networks to then demand, under threat of weapons, a fee from their employers in exchange for their release.
The Intelligence Directorate claims to have been alerted by a video circulated on social media, showing a man brandishing a weapon, making threats, and declaring his intention to kidnap young girls and shoot them if they refused to comply. This video was linked to other recordings confirming his involvement in kidnappings, shootings, and drug trafficking.
The main suspect and the woman were arrested in Zouk Mosbeh. A Kalashnikov-type weapon, three magazines and 58 bullets, drugs, a pistol, and a fake Syrian identity card were seized. During his interrogation, the first suspect admitted his involvement in all the facts attributed to him following the dissemination of the video and confessed to drug use and falsifying the identity card seized. The detainee admitted to collaborating with the first suspect, encouraging young girls to join prostitution networks, and using drugs.
The third suspect was arrested in Safra, and a pistol, cartridges, and a sum of money were seized from him. He admitted to leading a large prostitution network operating in Jounieh. The last two suspects were arrested in Jounieh and Jdeidah, respectively. The fourth admitted to knowing several people involved in the prostitution network operating in Jounieh, and the fifth confessed to exploiting people working in prostitution and possessing a false identity.
“These arrests are part of enhanced security measures and the fight against prostitution,” the ISF specifies. According to Article 523 of the Lebanese Penal Code, clandestine prostitution is prohibited by law, and “anyone who practices or facilitates secret prostitution is condemned.”
