Report: 'Hezbollah members' arrested in north say they were there for 'tourism'

The investigation into the five “Hezbollah members” who were arrested between the northern districts of Batroun and Bsharri is still in the intelligence-gathering phase and is expanding, focusing on the reasons for their movement in the area, judicial sources said.

The sources told Asharq al-Awsat newspaper that "preliminary information suggests they were on a reconnaissance mission and conducting a survey of the area," pointing out that "they were not alone and others were monitoring them remotely and proceeded to remove the phones from a room containing their belongings in the area after the five individuals were arrested without their phones."

The sources added that the detainees claimed they were in the area for tourism, though this "raises question marks," particularly since “one of them resides in the area, while the others hail from the South and the Bekaa.”

“Questions are mounting in light of information regarding documents and maps seized in their possession, and their attempt to tear some of them up as an Internal Security Forces (ISF) patrol approached them,” the daily said.

Asharq al-Awsat also learned that there is an inclination to bring charges against the detainees in their personal capacities, rather than in their capacity as Hezbollah members, similarly to what happened with those arrested in the explosives smuggling case.

According to the sources, the reconnaissance hypothesis raises questions about the purpose of surveying the area, and whether it is linked to security or military preparations or targets, or relates to the establishment of a security or military post.