BEIRUT: Military Prosecutor Saqr Saqr requested Tuesday that former Lebanese Information Minister Michel Samaha and Syrian Gen. Ali Mamlouk be tried on counts of terrorism.
Saqr recommended that Samaha and Mamlouk also be indicted for “preparing bombs and explosives, transporting them from Syria to Lebanon to target Ramadan iftars with the aim to kill clergymen, politicians, lawmakers and citizens.”
The recommendations were referred to Military Investigative Judge Riad Abu Ghayda who will issue the final indictment in the case.
These charges mean the men could face the death penalty.
Saqr also ordered a search warrant to find out the full name of Mamlouk’s assistant, who is only known as Col. Adnan.
The military prosecutor urged Abu Ghayda to issue an indictment and refer the case to the Military Tribunal to try the accused men.
In August 2012, the government’s Deputy Commissioner at the Military Tribunal Judge Sami Sader charged Samaha, a staunch ally of the Syrian regime, along with Mamlouk and Adnan with plotting to assassinate political and religious figures in Lebanon and carry out terrorist attacks.
Samaha was also accused of transferring explosives from Syria to Lebanon and working with foreign intelligence against his country.