Lebanon’s General Directorate of State Security announced tonight that it had foiled an operation to illegally transport approximately 25 Syrian citizens from Lebanon to Cyprus by sea.
According to the announcement, the Directorate of Intelligence and Special Operations received specific information about a group that was preparing to transport the Syrian civilians by boat.
ΣΧΕΤΙΚΑ ΑΡΘΡΑ
Following surveillance and an on-site investigation, the Lebanese authorities identified one of the alleged suspects, who is identified by the initials M.A. He is a Syrian national residing in Lebanon who is alleged to have organized the transport of people from Syria to Lebanon and, subsequently, by sea to Cyprus and from there to other European countries, in exchange for money.
The suspect was arrested on August 31 in the Nemrin–Diniye area, following instructions from the competent judicial authorities. With his arrest, the planned smuggling operation was thwarted before the vessel could depart.
During questioning, according to the Lebanese State Security, he admitted to running a network for the illegal trafficking of people from Syria to Europe, primarily via Cyprus. It was also determined that there were outstanding arrest warrants against him.
The suspect was taken into custody, and the case was referred to the competent judicial authorities in northern Lebanon.
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