BEIRUT: The alleged mastermind behind the abduction of seven Estonian tourists who were released in July was also linked to the March 27 church bombing in Zahle, security sources told the Daily Star Thursday.
Wael Abbas, the suspect kingpin behind the kidnapping, was handed over by Syrian authorities to Lebanon’s General Security at the Masnaa crossing Wednesday.
The sources said that based on statements made by the nine Lebanese suspects detained in the case, Abbas was also the mastermind behind the church blast.
The blast outside Saidat al-Najat church came four days after the seven Estonian nationals were kidnapped.
No one was hurt in the blast, which caused material damage to the church.
Initial reports said Wednesday that Abbas was handed over to Lebanese security personnel after being stopped by Syrian border police at the Masnaa crossing with a fake passport.
Security sources said Abbas was carrying a forged Venezuelan passport.
“But after examining Abbas’ forged passport, and after confessions made by Abbas himself, it was clear that the architect behind the abduction had traveled to Qatar out from Damascus airport,” one security source said.
The sources did not say when the trip to Qatar took place.
Qatari authorities identified Abbas after his picture was circulated by Interpol, the sources said, and that the Qataris deported him back to Syria.
The sources said Abbas, 29, was later handed over to Lebanese authorities at Masnaa.
Abbas is expected to be turned over to the Military Tribunal, to stand trial over the kidnapping of the seven Estonian tourists, who were snatched from their bicycles by armed men on the outskirts of Zahle March 23.
Wael Abbas, the suspect kingpin behind the kidnapping, was handed over by Syrian authorities to Lebanon’s General Security at the Masnaa crossing Wednesday.
The sources said that based on statements made by the nine Lebanese suspects detained in the case, Abbas was also the mastermind behind the church blast.
The blast outside Saidat al-Najat church came four days after the seven Estonian nationals were kidnapped.
No one was hurt in the blast, which caused material damage to the church.
Initial reports said Wednesday that Abbas was handed over to Lebanese security personnel after being stopped by Syrian border police at the Masnaa crossing with a fake passport.
Security sources said Abbas was carrying a forged Venezuelan passport.
“But after examining Abbas’ forged passport, and after confessions made by Abbas himself, it was clear that the architect behind the abduction had traveled to Qatar out from Damascus airport,” one security source said.
The sources did not say when the trip to Qatar took place.
Qatari authorities identified Abbas after his picture was circulated by Interpol, the sources said, and that the Qataris deported him back to Syria.
The sources said Abbas, 29, was later handed over to Lebanese authorities at Masnaa.
Abbas is expected to be turned over to the Military Tribunal, to stand trial over the kidnapping of the seven Estonian tourists, who were snatched from their bicycles by armed men on the outskirts of Zahle March 23.
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