BEIRUT: More than 100 people will face prosecution for their alleged use of state phone lines for commercial gain, in crimes dating back to the Civil War era.
A Beirut investigating judge, Sami Sidqi, filed a motion Wednesday asking for three-to-10 year prison sentences for 123 people, most of whom are former government telecommunications employees and owners of illegal call centers that sprung up during the war.
The illegalities involved in the case ended in 1991, and investigations have continued since. For procedural reasons, the magistrate requested jail time for the guilty parties, although the crimes are covered by the Civil War amnesty law. However, the fines that any guilty parties will have to pay will not be covered by the amnesty legislation.
Some of the alleged violators have been detained during the investigation process, but for only short periods of time before their release.
Some of the alleged violators have been detained during the investigation process, but for only short periods of time before their release.
Some 80 individuals and institutions saw their phone lines used in the scam, and these included members of Parliament and foreign embassies. They also filed suit in the case, to retrieve the money they lost.
The telephone company employees tapped into the lines, leaving the individuals and institutions stuck with the bills for calls they never made.
Judicial sources said the alleged offenders were located around the country. –The Daily Star
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