Baabda courthouse accuses employee of identity theft, illegal brokerage

BEIRUT — A cleaning employee at the Baabda courthouse has been indicted for allegedly photographing confidential documents, including investigation reports, from judges' offices, judicial sources said.

According to information from a judicial source to L'Orient-Le Jour, the woman is accused of identity theft and illegal brokerage, the case has been referred to the single criminal judge of Mount Lebanon.

The source said Judge Asmar took a more nuanced view than the public prosecutor, who alleged the woman was part of an organized network. According to the judge, the sums involved were relatively small, with the accused allegedly receiving 100,000 to 200,000 Lebanese liras (about $1–$2) per document, and no more than $50 in a single transaction.

The investigative judge also, according to this source, noted the absence of a mastermind behind the leaks.

The source further indicated that the woman had been released on bail, as well as six brokers who were allegedly involved in this case, and a second cleaning lady, who turned out to be the sister-in-law of the first, and who was working in the lawyers' lounge at the courthouse.

In September 2025, when this case was first revealed, a judicial source told L’Orient-le Jour that the corridors of the courthouse are frequented by people who present themselves to litigants as "facilitators" or "brokers," offering paid services such as expedited access to documents that are difficult to obtain quickly through official channels. Familiar with the workings of the judicial system and the parties able to unblock procedures, these individuals prowl near court registries and courtrooms. They sometimes collaborate with lawyers and legal aides, or, as in this case, with vulnerable individuals who generally do not realize the seriousness of their actions.

The facts were discovered by chance during the interrogation, by the judicial police, of a man arrested in a drug case. Decoding his mobile device reportedly revealed conversations and photos linked to court files located in investigative judges' offices.