Charbel Confirms Arrest of Nine Suspects Involved in Estonian Abduction
Interior Minister Marwan Charbel revealed on Thursday that the seven abducted Estonians were released at dawn, stressing that nine people were arrested in the case, including Lebanese and different nationals.
He said after leaving the French Embassy in Lebanon: “The Lebanese state participated from a distance in the operation.”
Charbel stressed: “The abductors had no demands and the Estonians will be debriefed to uncover all details.”
The minister revealed that the Intelligence Bureau played a major role in the release of the Estonians, while the French Embassy coordinated the issue and followed up on it.
The seven Estonians are Kalev Kaosaar, August Tillo, Madis Paluoja, Priit Raistik, Jaan Jagomagi, Andre Pukk and Martin Metspalu.
They were kidnapped in the Bekaa valley on March 23.
They had been shown appealing for help in videos posted on the Internet in April and May.
A third video was emailed to several of their relatives in June.
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