Lebanon's military intelligence bureau has arrested a top Shiite cleric known for his opposition to Hezbollah on suspicion he was spying for Israel, the state-run news agency reported on Tuesday.
"Military intelligence officers last Saturday arrested the head of the Arab Islamic Council Mohammed Ali al-Husseini on charges he was conspiring with the Israeli enemy," the National News Agency reported.
Husseini, a Shiite cleric known for his staunch opposition to Syrian- and Iranian-backed Hezbollah, was arrested during an army raid on his home in the southern coastal city of Tyre, it said.
The Arab Islamic Council is a small group of Shiite Muslims whose aim is to "reclaim Shiite decision-making from those who have hijacked it in the name of our confession," or Hezbollah, according to its mission statement. Military officials contacted by AFP could not provide immediate comment.
More than 100 people have been arrested on suspicion of espionage since April 2009, when security forces launched a crackdown on Israeli spy rings. The suspects include telecom employees, high-ranking members of the military and active duty troops.
Six men have been sentenced to death on spying charges since 2009, including one found guilty of aiding Israel during its devastating 2006 war with Shiite militant group Hezbollah. But none of the death sentences have been carried out yet. Lebanon and Israel remain technically in a state of war and convicted spies face life in prison with hard labour or the death penalty if found guilty of contributing to Lebanese loss of life.
Husseini, a Shiite cleric known for his staunch opposition to Syrian- and Iranian-backed Hezbollah, was arrested during an army raid on his home in the southern coastal city of Tyre, it said.
The Arab Islamic Council is a small group of Shiite Muslims whose aim is to "reclaim Shiite decision-making from those who have hijacked it in the name of our confession," or Hezbollah, according to its mission statement. Military officials contacted by AFP could not provide immediate comment.
More than 100 people have been arrested on suspicion of espionage since April 2009, when security forces launched a crackdown on Israeli spy rings. The suspects include telecom employees, high-ranking members of the military and active duty troops.
Six men have been sentenced to death on spying charges since 2009, including one found guilty of aiding Israel during its devastating 2006 war with Shiite militant group Hezbollah. But none of the death sentences have been carried out yet. Lebanon and Israel remain technically in a state of war and convicted spies face life in prison with hard labour or the death penalty if found guilty of contributing to Lebanese loss of life.
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